abstract - Zomi Online Library

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both troops and police.
9.6.3 Preparations for Operations An expedition against the Chins on modified scale was now sanctioned.
against the Siyins It was determined to deal first of all only with the Siyins and to inflict on
them such a crushing blow as not only to cripple them for the future, but
also to terrify the Tashons into giving up the rebels Shwe Gyo Byu and his followers, and the Shan captives. The
month of November was spent in arranging for the expendition. Captain Raikes and his assistant Mr. Hall busied
themselves with obtaining intelligence regarding the Chins, their villages, and the route to their country. The
General[Faunce] was engaged in massing troops at Kambale, and arranging for the better defence of the valleys. Hill
coolies were collected in Assam and sent for the expedition. Assam troops were sent through Manipur to the base of
operations, and the 42nd Gurkhas, who were on their way to Assam via Manipur, were detained to increase the force. A
levy of Military Police, composed chiefly of Punjabis, was sanctioned to garrison the Yaw valley against the
depredations of the Southern Chins, the Chinbokes, and Chinmes. The plan of campaign decided on was to march first
against the Koset, the head village of the Siyins, and from this centre to deal with the surrounding villages of the tribe.
At the urgent representation of the Political Officer the Kanhows were now included in the punishment which was to be
meted out to the Siyins. The route selected for the advance of the column from Kambale was along the Chin path which
descended from the summit of the Letha range on the immediate right of the Segyi stream...
9.6.4 Commencement of On the 7th December[1888] the Siyins commenced the fighting by mortally wounding
the operations. Lieutenant Palmer, R.E., who was in command of the Madras Sappers. He was shot
through the stomach from an ambush close to the stockade and died the next day and was buried at Kambale...On
Christmas day a determined attack was made on the working party, which was under the direction of Lieutenant Butcher
of the 42nd Gurkhas. The Chins were in great force, and we now know that the Tashons and Siyins were fighting side by
side on this occasion. The Chins swooped down from the heights on to the party, which was working on a narrow spur,
and attacked them from all four sides, fighting under cover of heavy undergrowth... Whilst disputing every stage of our
advance into their hills, the Chins showed considerable tactical ability by taking offensive in the plains and attacking
Shan villages and our posts in the rear of the advancing column...
9.6.5 Advance into the Hills _ On the 30th December[1888] Sir George White arrived at Kambale and accompanied
the force, which continued steadily advancing up the hills, the Sappers assisted
by coolies making a road in the track, along which were constructed rough stockades, in which the troops slept and
rations were stored. The troops found their route always heavily stockadeed and the stockades generally held by the
enemy, who never ceased to ambush when opportunity occurred, both day and night...
9.6.6. Encounter with Siyins _ On 27th January[1889] the road-making party was again confronted by Chins. The
working party was sent back to the stockade and the troops, now unencumbered,
attacked the enemy, who retired slowly, making a stubborn resistance, till they reached formidable and skilfully placed
stockades, where they made a stand. Sir George White, at our stockade, hearing heavy firing in front, joined the
attacking party with a small enforcement of the 42nd Gurkhas, and at once ordered, and took prominent part in the
charge, which was “brilliantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Skene, D.S.O.“[He was later killed in action in Manipur. tzd] Sir
George White, in a telegram* to the Chief Commissioner of Burma, described the action as follows:-
‘Enemy** yesterday attacked our working party on road above this and held our covering party, 40 British and 100
Gurkha, from 9 till 2, when I arrived and ordered their positions to be charged. We carried all, driving them entirely
away, getting off ourselves wonderfully cheaply. Only one Norfolk dangerously wounded. Enemy in considerable
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* Telegram No. 82, dated the 28th. January 1889.(Footnote 3, Carey & Tuck, p. 28)
** The resistance forces consisted of 1,200 Sizangs, 400 Kamhaus(Tedim) and 30 Sukte.(Vumson p. 118 & Thawng Khaw Hau, p. 51).
- Auhtor‘s note: Among the Sizangs were also several men from the Sizangs‘ neighbouring villages such as Dimlo, Pimpi, Suangpi,
Phunom, Thangnuai, Zung and Vaiphei warriors, etc. See Appendix L.