Mizoram sees fresh influx of Myanmar refugees as clashes intensify

Mizoram is witnessing a fresh influx of refugees from neighbouring Myanmar in the backdrop of intensified clashes between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army militants.

As per Mizoram officials, Lawngtlai district in south Mizoram is witnessing a fresh influx of refugees as more people are fleeing from adjoining Chin state in Myanmar and taking refuge in Mizoram.

Officials said that with more people entering Lawngtlai district from Paletwa town, Varang and surrounding villages, the number of refugees taking shelter in Laitlang, Dumzautlang, Zochachhuah and Hmawng-buchhuah villages has gone up from 209 on Thursday to 564 on Friday.

Of the total 564 refugees, 200 people have taken shelter in Hmang-buchhuah, 172 in Laitlang, 102 in Zochachhuah and 90 in Dumzautlang villages.

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According to sources, Myanmar’s junta launched airstrikes on Thursday targeting AA strongholds after the militant group captured and occupied a Police outpost in Maungdaw township, situated along the Bangladesh border.

Many of the refugees joined their relatives and friends while a large number of people were lodged in community halls and vacant buildings by the local volunteers where they were provided food and other basic needs.

Officials in Lawngtlai district said they were keeping a close eye on the influx of refugees and did not rule out more people fleeing Myanmar seeking shelter in the district.

Locals in the border areas, who hosted the refugees in their respective villages, said that almost all the refugees belong to Burmese speaking Buddhist Zakhai tribes.

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