Over 2,000 Refugees Flee Into Mizoram As Fresh Armed Struggle Breaks Out In Myanmar

The Myanmar Army and the People's Defence Force (PDF) are engaged in an intense fight, leading to a surge in refugees into India.

Young Mizo Association and residents of Camphai provide aid to Myanmar refugees.

Source : ANI

Thousands of Myanmar nationals have entered Mizoram's Champhai district through the international border, following a fresh airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border. According to news agency ANI, Members of the Young Mizo Association and other locals are helping the Myanmarese refugees in the Champhai district of Mizoram. According to news agency PTI, the number of refugees is more than 2,000. 

The Myanmar Army and the People's Defence Force (PDF) are engaged in an intense fight, leading to a surge in refugees into India. Officers of the Assam Rifles held a key meeting with Mizoram village chiefs and leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) to discuss the ongoing refugee situation along the border villages, reported news agency IANS.

Mizoram IGP (Headquarters) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said that on Sunday evening, PDF attacked a Myanmar Army post along the border. On Monday evening, two Myanmar posts were captured by the PDF. As a result, the Myanmar Army started taking shelter towards Mizoram. Thirty-nine of them surrendered to Mizoram Police last evening.

"We handed them over to both our governing force...The total Myanmar Army personnel who surrendered before Mizoram Police are 42... More than 5000 people took refuge in two villages along the border and we also got about 20 civilian injuries - 8 of them are taken to Aizawl for better medical treatment...One succumbed to his stray bullet injuries last evening...Since last night there has been no more commotion at the border...Now it is quite calm but we don't know whether Myanmar Army will attack from the air. We can't rule out airstrike at present," Khiangte was quoted as saying by ANI.

On Monday, Assam Rifles officials conducted a security meeting with Village Council Presidents and YMA secretaries in the Champhai district of eastern Mizoram. Various issues, including security concerns in the bordering villages, were discussed.

"The primary objective of the meeting was to deliberate on security matters, the welfare of the local population, and other crucial aspects of the border areas under Assam Rifles jurisdiction. The current security situation in the neighbouring Chin state of Myanmar and its potential implications were also thoroughly examined. Measures to enhance cooperation and coordination with security forces were among the topics explored," an Assam Rifles official was quoted as saying by IANS.

Simultaneously, intelligence and media outlets reported that following intermittent gunfire exchanges between the Myanmar Army and the People's Defence Force (PDF), the armed wing of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, a fresh wave of refugees sought shelter in the bordering villages of Mizoram.

Citing Zokhawthar V.C.P. Lalmuanpuia, media reports revealed that more than 100 Myanmar families had taken refuge in Zokhawthar village in Champhai district over the past week. Lalmuanpuia, also the chairman of the village-level committee appointed by the state government to manage Myanmar refugees, anticipated further arrivals as the sporadic clashes between the Myanmar Army and PDF persisted.

Since February 2021, Zokhawthar village has hosted over 6,000 refugees from Myanmar. Champhai Deputy Commissioner James Lalrinchhana mentioned that they are in the process of gathering details regarding the recent influx of refugees from Zokhawthar village authorities.

Approximately 32,000 Myanmar nationals sought refuge in various districts of Mizoram, with Zokhawthar village being one of them, following the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, the IANS reported.

The six Mizoram districts—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial, and Saitual—share a 510 km long unfenced international border with Myanmar's Chin state, guarded by the Assam Rifles.

While the majority of refugees reside in relief camps, government buildings, or with relatives, the Mizoram government, Church bodies, YMA, NGOs, and individuals contribute towards providing food to the Myanmar refugees, predominantly from the Chin tribal community. The Mizos share close ethnic ties with the Chin community, along with linguistic and lifestyle similarities.

Despite earlier appeals by the Mizoram government for financial and logistical support from the Center for Myanmar nationals, the Union government has not yet responded.