Myanmar army, rebels clash; 1,400 cross into Mizoram

Around 1,400 refugees from Myanmar fled into Mizoram's Champhai district on Sunday evening after the Myanmar army clashed with pro-democracy group Chinland Defence Force. Mizoram was on high alert following the refugee influx.

State government insiders said that Myanmar jet fighters dropped two bombs on Rihkhawdar village, 4 km away from Mizoram's Zokhawthar village. The conflict erupted after CDF reportedly took control of a Myanmar Army camp in Rihkhawdar. "Fighting started on Sunday evening and continued through the night. There are also reports of bombing close to the international border. Some people who received injuries are underwent treatment in Mizoram," said a state government official who did not wish to be named. At least 17 persons, including women and children, were treated for injuries received during the bombing and gun battle at the district hospital in Champhai.

Officials of the Assam Rifles held a meeting with village council presidents in eastern Mizoram's Champhai district. "The primary aim of the meet was to discuss security, welfare of local population and other important aspects of the border areas related to Assam Rifles. The present security situation in Myanmar's Chin state and its implications were also discussed. Measures to increase cooperation and coordination with the security forces were also discussed," an Assam Rifles official said.


Since February 2021, Zokhawthar village hosts more than 6,000 refugees from Myanmar. Around 35,000 from Myanmar took shelter in various Mizoram districts, including Zokhawthar, after the military junta recaptured power on February 1, 2021. Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual districts of Mizoram share a 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar. Assam Rifles guards the border here. The state government, church organisations, YMA, NGOs and many individuals have provided food to the Myanmar refugees belonging to the Chin tribal community which shares close ethnic ties with Mizos.

The Union home ministry had in April asked Manipur and Mizoram governments to collect biographic and biometric data of illegal migrants and complete the process by September. The deadline was extended by a year later. However, the Mizoram government decided not to carry out the process. Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga had recently said that his government opposed the Centre's order to deport Myanmarese refugees.