Influx of Myanmar nationals to Mizoram continues unabated amid pandemic

The influx of Myanmar nationals into the Indian territory continues unabated, as violence escalates in various parts of Myanmar following the military coup in February this year. According to a

The influx of Myanmar nationals into the Indian territory continues unabated, as violence escalates in various parts of Myanmar following the military coup in February this year.

According to a recent report, the number of Myanmar nationals intruding into Mizoram border has skyrocketed to over 15,000 in the last month. Over 700 people from Myanmar, mostly civilians, have reportedly entered Mizoram in the past few weeks.

Sources said that the refugees who made their way to Mizoram were mostly civilians, including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens. Altogether 10,025 nationals of the neighbouring country have so far sneaked into Mizoram.

At least, 22 members of the Myanmar parliament are among those who have taken refuge in the state.

It may be noted that the Chief Minister of Myanmar’s Chin state, Salai Lian Luai, had crossed over to Mizoram on June 14. The official said that a sizeable number of Myanmarese refugees have already returned to their country. Quoting data of the state police, the official said, 195 people from Myanmar have entered Champhai district between June 15 and June 26.

Of the 11 districts in Mizoram, the Myanmar nationals are living in 10 districts with the border district Champhai alone housing 4,352 people of the neighbouring country.

Meanwhile, an official, who did not wish to be named, said that Myanmar nationals especially from the Chin state have entered Indian territory in small batches at regular interval since February. Many of the Myanmar nationals who entered Mizoram recently could not be prevented even by security forces because most of them were women, children, and senior citizens.

A sizeable number of Myanmar nationals are also camping along the Tiau river on the Mizoram side of the international border as they have been asked not to enter the northeastern state due to the pandemic.

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