New Delhi: Days of fierce fighting between the Myanmar army and pro-democracy forces have led to fresh rounds of refugees escaping across the border into Mizoram. According to various news reports, the number of people fleeing the border areas of Myanmar’s Chin state to the northeastern Indian state is around 1,400. The Irrawaddy has reported that after days of combat between the Tatmadaw and the Chin National Army (CNA), the Junta’s base Reh Khaw Da in Falam township has fallen into the hands of the pro-democracy forces. The report quoting CNF spokesperson Salai Htet said, “After inflicting heavy casualties, they finally occupied the camp at 6 am on Monday (November 13).” It said, “The combined resistance force is now attacking another military base in the same town.”Falam, which borders Mizoram, is a hub of border trade between the Chin state and the Indian side.The Irrawaddy also reported that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) along with Arakan Army (AA) and Peoples Defence Forces (PDFs) have also taken control of the trade town of Khampat in Tamu Township which neighbours Manipur on the Indian side.Yet another report said after fierce fighting, the AA claimed to have taken control of at least three Junta camps in the Rakhine state. These fresh battles are part of Operation 1107, launched jointly by all the resistance forces against Myanmar’s military dictatorship since October 27. Because of the fierce fighting – involving on the ground and aerial attacks – hundreds of people have fled home to safety. The entry of fresh groups of refugees into the border town of Zokhawthar in Mizoram’s Champai district this November 12 is a fallout of these combats. While The Hindu reported that one Myanmarese citizen had lost his life from shrapnel injury soon after entering the Indian side, The Mizoram Post said 17 others have been injured too in the exchange of fire between the Myanmar army and the resistance forces, which includes women and children. “Some of the wounded have been referred to the District Hospital in Champai for more extensive medical care,” said The Mizoram Post. The news report said the Young Mizo Association had stepped in to provide food to the affected lot. Deputy commissioner of Champai, James Lalrinchhana, said, “Although there were reports of bombing (by the Myanmar army) near the international border, there was no damage on the Indian side.” The report quoted him on November 13 saying, “Efforts are underway to confirm the situation on the ground, with a team of magistrates dispatched to Zokhawthar.” Zokhawthar is about 205 km from the capital city of Aizawl. Calling the entry of the refuges as a “recurring pattern for over two years”, the deputy commissioner said they “often return when the situation stabilizes.”While The Hindu quoted L. Hruaimawia, the liaison officer of the district level committee on Myanmar refugees, saying the current number of refuges stand at “about 1400”, The Mizoram Post said they were “over 1000”. In total, the liaison officer said, 5,604 refugees have taken shelter in Zokhawthar, located about 42 kms from the district headquarters, Champai.These refugees from the Chin state share kinship with the Mizos and Kukis in Manipur. With the 2021 military coup in Myanmar leading to armed resistance movements, thousands of people including former parliamentarians have taken shelter in Mizoram.
