Mizoram Govt holds meet to take stock of fresh refugee influx from Myanmar

A meeting was held in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai town to take stock of the fresh influx of refugees from Myanmar into Lawngtlai district following recent clashes between the Myanmar military, junta, and the underground Arakan Army.

The meet was chaired by district deputy commissioner Amol Srivastava.

The officials were apprised of the entry of 589 more refugees from the strife-torn Chin state of Myanmar in the wake of the armed confrontation between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) and the AA. This has taken their number to 5,909 so far.

In the meeting, it was decided to provide the refugees with tarpaulins to build makeshift relief camps as well as blankets, commodes, hygiene kits, and other essential items.

The Lawngtlai district-level committee on Myanmar refugees has also decided to seek funds from the state government to meet the needs of the Myanmarese refugees.

It will also coordinate with ‘Doctors Without Borders’ to meet their medical needs. ‘Doctors Without Borders’ is an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organisation of French origin best known for its projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases.

The clashes that broke out at Varang and the surrounding villages in Chin state last week resulted in the fresh influx of refugees into the border villages of Hmawngbuchhuah, Zochachhuah, Laitlang, and Dumza Tulang.

TT Beikhaizi, nodal officer of the district task group on Myanmar refugees, said Hmawngbuchhuah village hosted 210 refugees, 137 refugees took shelter in Dumza Tulang while 127 and 115 refugees took shelter in Laitlang and Zochachhuah villages, respectively.

It may be recalled that ground and aerial attacks by the Myanmar army on the AA militants at Paletwa and the surrounding villages triggered a massive exodus to Lawngtlai district in 2017.