Chin State

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with Chinland (Zogam), the Chin-inhabited areas of Bangladesh, India and Burma (Myanmar).

Coordinates: 22°0′N, 93°30′E

'Chin-pyi-ne'ယ္‌
Chin State

(MLCTS: chin, kyang: pranynai)
Capital Hakha
Region Western
Area 36,018 km²
Population 473,000 (538,000 in 2005)
Ethnicities predominantly Chin
Religions Christianity, Buddhism
Image:Myanmar Chin.png

Chin State is a state located in the western sector of the Union of Myanmar. Its capital is Hakha. The 13,907 square mile Chin State is home to Chin, Mro, Khami, and Bamar national races.

It is a mountainous region with very few plains. Many natural watercourses are flowing among mountain ranges running from north to south forming a number of valleys and gorges. Mount Victoria or Mount Khawnusoum, 10,500 feet high is the highest peak in Chin State. The state has a lot of rivers and the Manipura River flows through its northern territory. Longest water fall in Chin state is Bungtla water fall it is located in Matupi.

Contents

[edit] History

The original capital of Chin State was Falam, but it was moved to Haka later. Chin State was not part of Burma/Myanmar until British colonisation. The local authorities signed the Pinlong Agreement to bring Chin State under Burmese control, although the Burmese authorities had intended to give the Chins independence after the British raj (colonial rule). However, due to the assassination of General Aung San, the Pinlong agreement was ignored and was not honored by the government at that time. Upon independence on 4 January 1948, the Chin Hills special division split administratively from Arakan division, under a Minister of State :

  • 1947 - 1954 Vam Thu Maung
  • 1954 - 1956 U Shein Htang
  • 1956 - 1962 U Za Hre Lian

Since on 2 March 1962 autonomy was abolished, it had a single Chairman of the Supreme State Council, U San Kho Lian, who remained in office until March 1974 (two months after the 3 January 1974 creation of Chin state)

The military administration of the country has subsequently failed to develop infrastructure in the state, with the result that prior to the 1988 uprising, 80% of the population of the state was of Chin ethnicity, as many ethnic Burmans did not wish to live there. Since that time, the military has attempted to assert its authority more strongly over the state.

[edit] Organization

There are 3 districts, 11 township and 1355 villages in Chin State. The districts are

The townships are

[edit] Demographics

Chin State has a population of about 518,144 and a population density of 37 persons per square mile on December 12, 2006.

The Chin are made up of many clans, which although historically related now speak divergent languages and have different cultural and historical identities. Some consider the name Chin seems an exonym, given by the Burmese and of unclear origin - ... These names are justified respectively by the fact that Chin are world known for Loyalty to the Masters and were well-known for their weaving skills and have been in trade relations with the lowlands for many years.

The term Ciimnuai represent sometimes for Tedim, Tonzang, Kalay, Rih, Haimual, Cikha, Tamu and Lamka people while the term "Laimi" is the most common name for Falam and Haka people. Chin people are called by different clan names such as Zomi, Laimi, Mizo, Manipur, Kuki or Laimi and others based on their own different dialects. Zomi is widely used for their names amongst the known-said Chin like among the Tedim, Tonzang, Cikha, Haimual, Rih, Sagaing Division, Asho, Falam, Mizo, Manipur, Kuki, Paite, Manipur, Haka, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Mindat, and in the lowlands of Myanmar. Some Laimi Educated leaders need to introduce the Laimi language to be used around the whole Chin lands. Some old man suggested that the term 'Chin' comes from their ancestor the great Chin from China; to have escaped to Burma and then moved around until they reached the high land of Chin Sates, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam (all three in India), Bangladesh, even until Nepal (the Gurkha). Therefore, though 'Chin' is not included in their word. Each tribe of Chin people has its own name, e.g. Zomi, Laimi, Mizo, Paite, Kuki, Kocho etc. These terms could well be cognates, but each has its own pronunciation and sometimes its own meaning.

According to the record of Zam Sian Sang, Gualnam (B.B.A, Laws,) who'd surveyed the Seasons and Population of the called Chin (Zomi) Nationalities during the years 2004-2007 with the 'Zogam Survey' Researched team, the Different combination of all Chin people and their Populations are as follows

1. in Sagaing Division- Zomi - Teddim (427800 + ),

                     - Mizo (50000 -/+ )
                     - Laimi - Hakha (74000 + ),
                     - Paite (23100 -/+ )
                     - Kuki (54000 -/+ )
                     - Matupi (3000) 
                     - Asho (40000 -/+ ),they live mostly in the lowlands and mixed with Burmans.

2. in Chin State

                     - Chin (375000 + )in (Tedim/Tonzang/Haimual/Cikha= 375000), Falam, HalKha, Matupi, Kanpetlet, MIndat, Pyay, Rih, Behing, Tonsim, and in Bangladesh.
                     - Plain Chin(340000 + ) all along the Chin States and in India.

3. in India -----------Zomi (est.280000 + )

                     -Mizo (460000 -/+ )
                     -Manipur/Paite (312000 -/+ )
                     -Kuki ( 290000 -/+ )

No one can say the exact population of Zomi/Laimi/Kuki/Mizo/Matu (Chin) whilst they are dispersing in rush since the past 50 years even.

The word 'Salai' is used for Chin men (similar to Mr.)and 'Tangval' or 'Tg.' (for short form) for Zomi; as well as 'Mai'(Similar to Miss) for Hakha women and 'Mang' for (Matu man), 'Tuem' for (Matu woman)and 'lia' (for the short form of Lianu, Numei, Meichia, anu, kalia). The words 'Pu' and 'Pi', and 'Pa' and 'Nu', are used commonly for elderly Chin and Chin leaders such as Pu Chin Sian Thang, (President of Zomi National Congress). The title of 'Pu' is a term of respect, failure to use it where it might be expected may be interpreted as a sign of disrespect. The word 'Pi' is used to address elderly Chin women. Different tribes also practice different ways in naming people.

The word 'Chin' is a historic and origin name for the so called 'Chin' people who live in Myanmar, India and Bangladesh. They are also closely related to the Names Suf-fixing and pre-fixingly amongst the Zomi (Chin; the Zo people). But there is still who's tribe is 'Zo' in the Township of Tedim and Tonzang. Their estimated population is 70,000-120,000) but they are in the Tedim. The Chin form the majority of Chin State.

Owing to missionaries' work over the last hundred years, a great deal of the population now identifies itself as Christian. A sizeable minority, however, adheres to animist beliefs and Theravada Buddhism.

[edit] Roads and Transport

The Government has been building many new miles of roads in the mountainous region. Earth roads have been upgraded into metalled ones, and the metalled roads to bituminous facilities. The 115 mile Kalay-Falam-Haka road is already completed. Bituminous roads include

  • 70 miles and four furlong Gangaw-Haka road
  • 102 miles Mindat-Matupi road
  • 172 miles and seven furlong Haka-Matupi road
  • 115 mile and one furlong Kalay-Falam-Haka road
  • Kyaukhtu-Mindat road linking Chin State and Magway Division


have been built.

Asean Highway cross through the center of Zomi' settling areas of Madalay-Kalay-Tamu-lamka/Behiang The sector wise upgrading of the gateways to Chin State

  • Mandalay-Sagaing-Monywa-Gangaw-Haka road
  • Pakokku-Pauk-Tabyin-Kyaukhtu-Mindat road


is in progress at present.

The Kyaukhtu Airport, built by Directorate of Military Engineers of the Ministry of Defence in Kyaukhtu, Saw Township, Gangaw District, Magway Division, was commissioned into service on July 10, 2004. The airport has helped develop the transport sector of southern Chin State linking Yaw and Pakokku regions in Magway Division. Cars can reach Kanpetlet, Mindat and Matupi in southern Chin State from Kyaukhtu via Saw.

In 1988, the state has two over 180 foot bridges:

  • 270 foot Natzan Bridge in Tonzang Township
  • 240 foot Lemyo Bridge in Matupi Township.

The Military Government has built the 340 foot Var Bridge across Manipura River on Kalay-Haka Road in Falam Township in 1998 and 480 foot 'ManSuanglei' Bridge across River Manipura on Tiddim-Kaptel-Reh Lake road in Tiddim District in 2002. The 460 foot Manhsaung Bridge is being built across Manipura River on Tiddim-Reh Lake section.

[edit] List of bridges in Chin State

  • 270 foot Natzan Bridge in Tonzang Township
  • 240 foot Lemyo Bridge in Matupi Township
  • 340 foot Var Bridge in Falam Township
  • 480 foot Kattel Bridge in Tiddim Township
  • 460 foot Manhsaung Bridge

[edit] Communication

Development in the communication sector of Chin State

"Comparison between period preceding 1988 and after (up to 31-12-2006)

Subject Count 1988 31-12-2006 Progress
Post Office office 29 45 16
Telegraph Office office 11 24 13
computer offices/trainings

1.Vontawi Compute in Sakollam_PaNangSuanGin 2.Will Computer in Lawibual
Facsimile 22 22
Computer telegraph 3 3
Telephone
-telephone office office 8 29 21
-telephone line line 3390 4519 1129
-exchange exchange 8 18 10
-direct line line 2431 3402 3159
-auto/manual phone phone 2431 3402 3159
Microwave station station 5 5
Rural telephone exchange exchange 11 11
e-Mail/Internet 12 12
Satellite station
-VSAT station 1 1
-MPT satellite Terminal station 15 15

[edit] Electricity

The effective utilization of land and water resources in the state has helped develop the power generation capacity of the state.

In 1988, the state has four small scale hydel power stations

  • the Zarlwi in Tiddim Township
  • the Daungvar in Haka Towhship
  • the Ngasitvar in Falam Township
  • the Paletwa in Paletwa Township.

The Military Government has built another 12 diesel power stations and six new hydel power plants, helping increase the power consumption of the state.

The four new hydel power plants are

  • the 0.2 megawatt Namhlaung Creek plant in Matupi Township
  • the 0.6 megawatt Laingva plant in Falam Township
  • the 0.2 megawatt Htweehsaung plant in Tonzang Township
  • the 0.2 megawatt Chichaung plant in Mindat Township.

The Manipura Multipurpose Dam Project will be impletemented in chin State. The Table informs the reader about the development of the state's electricity sector.
Development in the electric power sector of Chin State

"Comparison between period preceding 1988 and after (up to 31-12-2006)"

Subject Count 1988 31-12-2006 Progress
Electricity consumption unit (in million) 1.552 5.736 4.184
Maximum power megawatt 2.000 2.217 0.217
Installed power megawatt 2.709 5.787 3.078
Extend generating of electricity
-Hydel power plant completed Plant 4 10 6
-Small (up to 1 megawatt) Plant 4 10 6
-Diesel used plant Plant 19 31 12
-Private Plant Plant 0 99 99

[edit] List of Hydel Power Plants

  • Zalwi 0.40 megawatt
  • Donghpa 0.40 megawatt
  • Ngasithpa 1.00 megawatt
  • Paletwa 0.05 megawatt
  • Nanlaungchaung 0.20megawatt
  • Laiva 0.60 megawatt
  • Htwihsaung 0.20 megawatt
  • Chichaung 0.20 megawatt
  • Thinthe 0.05 megawatt
  • Linebon 0.05 megawatt

[edit] Industrial Sector

Due to the facilitation of the transport and communication sectors and increase in the power generation in the state, many new private industries have emerged in the region. The state now has 522 private industires, 179 more than 343 in 1988. The number of State owned industries has now reached nine from five in the past. The Government has been striving to develop the industrial sector of the state which will become a major tea-growing region in the future.

"Comparison between period preceding 1988 and after (up to 31-12-2006)"

Subject Count 1988 31-12-2006 Progress
Upgrading of industrial power Industry
-Private industry industry 343 522 179
-Cottage industry industry 0 2 2
-State owned industry industry 5 9 4

[edit] Education

[edit] List of Universities, Colleges

  • Kalay Technological University
  • Kalay University of Computer
  • Chin Christian College
  • Zomi Theological College

[edit] Politics

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Incubator


v • d • e
Chin State
Capital: Hakha
Falam District
Mindat District
Cities and towns
v • d • e
Administrative divisions of Burma
States
Chin · Kachin · Kayah · Kayin · Mon · Rakhine · Shan
 Flag of Burma
Divisions

[edit] Sources and references