THANTLANG
Location
Thantlang is located 25 miles from Hakha, the capital city of Chin State, Burma. It sits between Marau Mountain in the east and Vuichip in the west and has an elevation of over 4962 feet above sea level. Thantlang is positioned at an east longitude of 93' 6" and between north latitudes of 22'5" and 23' 33". The river Buva flows on the east side of Thantlang, while Lava flows on the west side. Additionally, it is about 40 miles from the border of India and Burma.
The name "Thantlang"
The town of Thantlang was reportedly founded around 1450 AD. The founding fathers of Thantlang were Mualhlun, Tinhlawng, and Zinthloh. Initially, they settled at a place called Hlawnzaang before moving to the location where the old Thantlang was situated. The old Thlantlang village was relocated to its present location in 1961. In 1966, Thantlang became the capital city of Thantlang township, which was separated from Hakha township by the socialist government. The original name of Thantlang was Thlantlang, meaning "hill of graves." The name was changed to Thantlang, meaning "hill of fame," in 1980 by the socialist government.
Administration
Thantlang had been governed by tribal chieftains since its founding in 1450 AD. The last chiefs who administered Thantlang were from the Cinzah tribe. The father of Cinzah was Mang Pa, but Cinzah was more prominent than Mang Pa. The Cinzah tribe were the main chiefs of Thantlang until the British occupation in 1891. During the British era, Thantlang was administered by village chiefs appointed by the British, but mostly from tribal chiefs.
When Thantlang became the capital city of Thantlang township under the Socialist government of General Newin in 1972, the administration was mainly executed by village chiefs under the supervision of the Township People's Council. The chief or Chairman of Thantlang town administration was appointed by the Chairman of Township People's Council.
The first Administrative Officer was Pu Taung Oke, appointed by the Revolutionary Council in 1966. When the Revolutionary Council of Burma was transformed into the Union of Myanmar Government in 1974, Pu Thla Mang was the first Chairman of Thantlang Township People's Council. During Aung San Suu Kyi's tenure as State Counsellor of Myanmar, Pu Rum Thang was the last Administrative Officer of Thantlang Township.
Religion
Before the first converts of Thantlang became Christians in 1910, the main religion of Thantlang was animism. In 1908, the Baptist Mission School was moved from Zokhua to Thantlang. Saya Maung Kya was the first teacher of the mission school in Thantlang. The first three converts from Thantlang were Pu Van Cin, Pu Tei Dun, and Pu Chan Kian. The first Pastor of Thantlang Baptist Church was Rev. Hai Mang.
After Thantlang Township became a separate Township from Hakha, the Thantlang Association of Baptist Churches (TABC) was established, separating from the Hakha Baptist Association in 1975. The first General Secretary of TABC was Rev. John Cuai Sang. The office of TABC was located until Thantlang was burned down by the military government in 2021. Of the approximately 12,000 population of Thantlang, Baptists are the majority. Other small denominations include Believers Church, Church of Jesus Christ, United Pentecostal Church, Assembly of God, Holiness Church, Church On The Rock, Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church, and Free Methodist Church. When the military burned down the entire town in October 2021, about 21 Church buildings were destroyed by the fire.
The Destruction of Thantlang by the Military Regime
In February 2021, the Burmese armed forces staged the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. Thantlang became the site of major local resistance between the Chinland Defense Force, a local militia group formed in response to the coup, and the armed forces. In response, the Burmese military launched a major offensive. On 18 September, the military destroyed 18 buildings by shelling, leading to the exodus of thousands of residents. On 29 October, the Burmese military destroyed an additional 160 homes in the town, with collateral damage totaling USD $10-15 million. Over 10,000 Thantlang residents fled the town, seeking refuge in the countryside and the neighboring Indian state of Mizoram. By November 2022, much of Thantlang had been burned down.
