Thousands seek refuge in Mizoram following airstrikes in Myanmar

Following a fresh airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border, some 5000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Zokhawthar area of Mizoram’s Champhai district.

According to the leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Zokhawthar, there are around 4-5 relief and refugee camps in the area and around 160 families from Myanmar now are residing in Zokhawthar’s Lipui.

F Biaktinsanga, the Financial Secretary of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), said around 5,000 to 6,000 people have entered India and are being supported by various NGOs and the district administration, which provide essential items such as food and clothing.

#WATCH | F. Biaktinsanga, YMA(Young Mizo Association) Zokhawthar Financial Secretary says, “… Around 5000-6000 people have come to India, can’t say the exact numbers…here an NGO provided some food, clothes etc…here they’re living very peacefully and as people of Mizoram. We… pic.twitter.com/62GPBU3AMq

— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

“… Around 5000-6000 people have come to India, can’t say the exact numbers…here an NGO provided some food, clothes etc…here they’re living very peacefully and as people of Mizoram. We care about them…,”  Biaktinsanga said.

Mal Sawm Par, a national from Myanmar, shared his experience about the hardships faced after fleeing his home country. He arrived in Zokhawthar about two years ago, leaving behind a village that was burned down and bringing nothing with him.

Despite the challenges, he found support from the local community who provided him with food, clothing, and medical care.

“We came here about 2 years ago and then we didn’t bring anything and our village was burned. In Zokhawthar, some people give us clothes and food. Now we have nothing so we cannot go back. It is also very difficult to go back so we have to stay here. How long we stay here, we also don’t know; nobody knows. The people here are good to us. All the people help us so much and give us what we need. When we get sick, they give us a doctor. The medicine is free for us,” ANI quoted Mal Sawm Par, a Myanmar national, as saying.

In a recent development along the Myanmar border, the People’s Defence Force (PDF) of Myanmar attacked and captured two Myanmar Army posts. This led to 39 Myanmar Army personnel seeking refuge in Mizoram and subsequently surrendering to the Mizoram Police.

The total number of Myanmar Army personnel who have surrendered so far stands at 42.

“On Sunday evening, PDF of Myanmar attacked the Myanmar Army post along the Myanmar border. Yesterday evening, two Myanmar posts were captured by the PDF. As a result, the Myanmar Army started taking shelter in Mizoram. 39 of them surrendered to Mizoram Police last evening…We handed them over to both our governing force…The total number of Myanmar Army personnel who surrendered before Mizoram Police is 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…” Mizoram Inspector-general of police (IGP) (Headquarters), Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said on Tuesday.

With inputs from agencies