Over 1,000 Burmese nationals seek refuge in India as situation gets tense along Indo-Myanmar border

situation along Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram has been tense since Sunday evening after a fierce gun battle between Myanmar Army and Myanmarese rebels in Chin State of Myanmar. offensive by Pro-Democratic Forces (also called PDFs) led to an escalation with Myanmar Army retaliating with air strikes.

situation turned such along border that after fierce gun battle between Myanmar Army and pro-democratic forces, PDF over-powered Myanmar Army and destroyed a camp in Rihkhawdar. Retaliating even more fiercely, Myanmar Army carried out air strikes in area on Monday. 

It has been learnt from witnesses re at border that Myanmar Army fighter jets dropped two bombs at Rihkhawdar vill, hardly 4 kilometres away from Indian border vill Zokhawthar.

It may be mentioned that PDFs were led by Chinland Defence Force (CDF). As per details received, escalation came after CDF reportedly took control of a Myanmar Army camp in Rihkhawdar. Myanmar Army’s retaliatory airstrike were so intense that it forced people in area to run seeking safe shelter, towards India. However, re have been reports of any dam on Indian side.

Deputy Commissioner of Champhai, James Lalrinchhana has confirmed that gunfight started on Sunday evening and continued throughout night. He has also confirmed reports of bombing close to international border but has clearly stated that re has been dam to any property in India.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that over 1,000 people who came to border have been given shelter on Indian side and are being treated for injuries y h sustained. Young Mizo Association, a top civil society organisation of state is leing humanitarian assistance.

It may be mentioned that though Indian government h repeatedly asked Mizoram government t to allow anyone to cross over border to India, government of Mizoram has been defying it since 2021, when Military Junta took over Myanmar. 

y even declined Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) instructions to collect biometrics of refugees who are alrey taking shelter in bordering state. It may be recalled that over 50,000 refugees from Myanmar are currently taking shelter in Mizoram. state government has even allowed m to work in India.

Making it even an election issue in recently held polls in state, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said that he will continue to support Chin refugees from Myanmar and Banglesh on humanitarian grounds as y are ethnically connected.