Northeast Desk, 19th November: Around 5000 Myanmarese refugees have sought refuge in the Zokhawthar area of Mizoram’s Champhai district following an airstrike by the Myanmar army near the Indo-Myanmar border. Zokhawthar, a village in Champhai, shares its border with Myanmar.
The refugees, currently housed in temporary tents in Zokhawthar, are receiving assistance from the district administration, NGOs, the Young Mizo Association, and the Village Council. Food, clothing, and medical supplies have been provided to alleviate their immediate needs.
Leaders of the Young Mizo Association in Zokhawthar have reported the establishment of four to five relief and refugee camps in the area. The escalating conflict between the Myanmar Army and People’s Defence Force (PDF) has led to an influx of refugees seeking safety in India.
In response to the crisis, Assam Rifles officers recently held a crucial meeting with village chiefs from Mizoram and leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA). The discussion focused on addressing the growing refugee crisis in border villages. Since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, around 32,000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in various districts of Mizoram, including Zokhawthar village.
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