Myanmar's unrest fuels ethnic strife in Manipur as cross-border crisis deepens

The simmering ethnic strife in Manipur takes a dire turn as a human migration crisis unfolds, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing political unrest in the Indian state following the military junta coup in the bordering country of Myanmar.

Reports from Moreh reveal intense firing between Myanmar’s Military Junta and rebel groups at Walphabung village in Namphalong, Tamu District, igniting panic among over a hundred Myanmar nationals, including women and children.

Seeking safety, they have fled across the border into Manipur’s border town of Moreh.


Police and paramilitary sources posted in Moreh confirm the immigration crisis from across the border continues. Mostly women and children cross over to the Village of Holenphai for safety whenever the fighting between the Myanmar government military and pro-democratic rebels intensifies and return to their homes across the border when it is safe, official sources said.

The latest influx of refugees, believed to be over 200 in number, highlights the escalating violence in Myanmar, with concerns mounting over further clashes, particularly given the significant presence of Myanmar army personnel in Walphabung village.

The influx of refugees fleeing violence from across the border adds another dimension to the complex dynamics of the region, further straining resources and deepening tensions.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border in order to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's Northeastern States bordering Myanmar.

The chief minister N Biren Singh informed the assembly recently that out of the total 6,746 illegal Myanmar immigrants found in Manipur since the ongoing ethnic conflict unfolded on May 3, 2023 till February 27, 2024, 259 of them were pushed back to their country after recording their biometrics details.