Myanmar crisis: 40 Myanmar army personnel flown to Tamu from Mizoram

Indian Air Force’s MI 17 helicopters were pressed into service for transporting the Myanmar Army personnel

Amid the deepening crisis, 40 Military personnel from the conflict torn country, who had crossed over to Zokhawthar in Mizoram yesterday, have been flown back to Tamu in Myanmar across Moreh in Manipur by Indian Air Force helicopters.

Just like Moreh in Manipur lies along the international border, Tamu is the border town on the Myanmar side.

Indian Air Force’s MI 17 helicopters were used for transporting the Myanmar Army personnel from the Hnahlan helipad in Champhai to Tamu. Among those who had entered India were 2 officers of the Myanmar Army and 38 soldiers and other ranks.

Multiple reports stated that anti-coup fighters in Chin state reportedly took control of two military outposts on the border of India’s Mizoram state after hours-long battles yesterday.

Last night (Monday), a huge crowd had gathered outside the Zokhawthar Police station, where the 40 Myanmar Army personnel were put up after they entered the area amid intense fighting across the border.

The mob had gathered in front of the Zokhawthar police station to protest against the atrocities committed by the junta amid the ongoing crisis in the neighbouring country.

Taking strong exception to the evolving situation, the Assam Rifles has deployed additional troops along the Myanmar border not only in Mizoram but also in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Well, not only the Myanmar Army, but civilians too have crossed over to the Indian side in Mizoram. As per inputs, at least 5000 refugees have crossed over to Zokhawthar village in Mizoram’s Champhai district on November 11 and 12.

In Mizoram, there are already an estimated 40,000 refugees from Myanmar. During the last 48 hours, around 700-800 Myanmar refugees have entered Mizoram in what is seen as a fresh round of influx following the intensification of the fighting in Myanmar.

The Northeast states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh shares more than 1600 long border with Myanmar of which Mizoram, where the bulk of the refugees are taking shelter, shares a 510 km long border.

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