Aizawl: significant number of Myanmar refugees, nearly 3,000, who had sought refuge in Mizoram following recent armed clashes, have now started returning to their villages across the border. This development comes after a temporary ceasefire was declared between warring Chin rebel factions, bringing a sense of calm to the volatile region.
The mass exodus in early July saw over 4,500 civilians from Myanmar’s Chin state crossing into India, primarily seeking shelter in Mizoram’s Champhai district. These individuals had been accommodated in border villages like Zokhawthar, Saikhumphai, and Vaiphai. Officials confirmed that a substantial 2,923 people departed from Zokhawthar, with an additional 39 returning from Vaiphai by Wednesday. The repatriation process, which commenced on July 7, saw a notable acceleration from July 12, coinciding with the implementation of the ceasefire.
A police officer confirmed the improved stability along the border, anticipating a continued return of more refugees in the coming days. Mizoram, sharing a 510-km porous border with Myanmar, has been a sanctuary for over 32,000 refugees since the 2021 military coup in the neighbouring nation.
The recent flare-up in July stemmed from clashes between pro-democracy forces, the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and Chinland Defence Force (CDF-Hualngoram), and the Chin National Army (CNA) over territorial control. Retaliatory actions by the CNA, particularly an attack on a CNDF camp in Rihli village within Chin state, further exacerbated the situation, leading to an additional influx of over 700 refugees into other border villages.
In a related development, the Mizoram government is preparing to initiate the collection of biometric and demographic data of Myanmar refugees by the end of July. This exercise aims to facilitate their identification. The majority of these refugees belong to the Chin ethnic group, who share profound cultural affinities with the Mizos.