Aizawl, Mizoram: Security along the Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram has been significantly beefed up following intense armed clashes between two Chin ethnic groups within Myanmar, prompting a fresh wave of nearly 3,000 refugees to seek shelter in the Indian state. Mizoram Home Minister Pu K Sapdanga confirmed that both the Mizoram Police and Assam Rifles have been deployed with heightened alertness to prevent any breach of the border and maintain law and order.
The latest escalation of violence commenced on the night of July 5 in Khawmawi, a village on the Myanmar side directly across from the Indian border. The Chinland Defence Force–Hualngram (CDF-H) and the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), both ethnic Chin insurgent groups, engaged in fierce fighting. As the conflict intensified, civilians from Khawmawi and surrounding areas began fleeing into India through the Zokhawthar border point, with approximately 3,000 displaced individuals now taking refuge in Zokhawthar.
The Mizoram government is actively monitoring the volatile situation, with Minister Sapdanga reiterating that continuous patrols are being conducted by police and paramilitary troops along the international border. In a crucial humanitarian effort, the Young Mizo Association (YMA) has stepped forward to provide temporary shelter and relief to the displaced population. Furthermore, the Champhai District Deputy Commissioner has been directed to undertake necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the refugees.
While India typically requires valid identification from all entrants from Myanmar, authorities have expressed concern that many of the recent arrivals are fleeing active conflict and may not possess such documents. The Home Minister drew a comparison to previous instances of Myanmar soldiers crossing into Indian territory but stressed that the current situation is more severe due to the sheer concentration of the influx through Zokhawthar.
Both CDF-Hualngram and CNDF are part of the broader Zo nationalist movement, representing the Zohnathlak ethnic community. Minister Sapdanga voiced apprehension over the increasing presence of ethnic armed groups near Mizoram’s border and urged all displaced people to remain within Zokhawthar, discouraging further dispersal into other parts of Mizoram.
Local organisations, student unions, churches, and various civil society groups are actively contributing to the ongoing relief operations. The state government has also formally requested additional aid from the central government to effectively manage the escalating crisis. As tensions persist across the border, the Mizoram government reiterated its unwavering commitment to peace and has appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict or endanger civilian lives.
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