ANNEXURE I.
From the signatories as representatives from the various parts of Chin Hills, to the Frontier Areas Committee, Camp Maymyo, dated on 21st April 1947.
We thank the British Government's Executive Council for mutual benefit of the minority races in the hill regions of Burma, with the Burmese, as contemplated by the London Agreement their success in forming an Enquiry Committee to explore ways and means for the lasting association for executed between the two Governments.
Desire for the improvement of the condition of Chin Nations
We find that though the British Government has ruled over the Chin Hills for about 60 years, we are very much backward, if compared with the Frontier Area, in Education, Health, Communications, Agriculture and Economic conditions. As regards Administrations also, the poor people have greatly suffered due to the collection of taxes on food under pressure by the Circle Thuggish, appointed by the Government, as in the days of Dictators, Capitalists and Rulers (Sawbwas) of States, and not like other Kachin Frontier Areas. Therefore, in the new Administration, the said Circle Thugyis should be made Government servants or to find out some other practicable method.
All the Chin nationals of the Frontier being in favour of Democratic Principle only, we wish to have only such administration after election by votes as in the election to the Council recently formed. After having duly elected 12 members on the basis of 3 from one area under the change of Sub divisional Officer, originally in the Chin Hills, to represent and give evidence here on behalf on the Chin and Kachin Nationals, and on their arrival at Maymyo, they were divided into six parties and they have to give evidence continuously for two days. The reason for this is that they were not representatives of the people, but only Circle thugyis who had come only for their own interests under the influence of the Government. Therefore the desires of the Chin masses of the hill and their demands for the future administration are as follows:-
Demands for the Future Administration
(a) Panglong Agreement executed in February 1944 by the representatives of Frontier Areas and those of the Burma Government is confirmed.
(b) Support and confirmed the resolutions passed at the meeting of all representatives from the Frontier Areas, held in March 1947 at Yaunghwe.
(c) To participate in the forthcoming Constituent Assembly. To have twelve reprehensive in the Assembly view of the fact that there are four tribes among the Chin Nationals, difficulties in communications between one village and another and between one place and other, difference in dialects and one place being to far away from another. To elect such representatives by votes under the democratic principle.
(d) Two conditions under which to unite with Burma:-
First : To join the Federation.
Second : To secede at any time.
(e) To include Naga Hill Areas and Arakan Hill District, Paletwa Tawnship in the Chin Hills Area. There are Chin Nationals in the said areas, and they are also geographically link to one another.
f) (i) The Government has converted Bobabaing (freehold) land into Ayardaw (leashold) lands.
(ii) To restore immediately such freehold lands, bought by our ancestors, but converted into Ayardaw lands by the Government, to the rightful owners.
We never consider that the British would forget us Chin Nationals, who had fought effectively in the First World War from 1914 to 1918 and the Second World War from 1942 to 1945 with a view to save the British Empire. We therefore earnestly urge the Enquiry Committee to carry out of the Chin Nationals, who had defended at the sacrifice of their lives for the security of Burma and British Empire.
(Sd) 1. Mang Tung Nung, Captain, Representative of the people, Pensioner.
2. Thang Za Kai, Pensioner, Extra Representative.
3. Thang Ko Kai, Pensioner, Representative of Mweyaw, Headman.
4. Thawn Hang, Headman. Extra Representative.
5. On Ko Mang, Headman, Extra Representative.
6. Lian Ko Mang, Extra Representative.
7. Let Suah, Extra Representative.
