Aizawl, July 12: The entire eastern frontier of Mizoram, adjacent to the Indo-Myanmar border, has been placed on high alert due to escalating conflicts between rebel factions across the border in Myanmar.
Reports indicate that at least 5,900 refugees have sought asylum in India, with some tragically perishing during the perilous journey and others suffering injuries. Several of the injured individuals are presently receiving medical care at hospitals in Mizoram.
The Chin National Army and the Chin National Defence Force — two factions of the rebel forces opposing the Myanmar military junta — are engaged in fierce confrontations to gain control of territories just beyond the border with Mizoram.
Officials from the Assam Rifles and the Mizoram Police have reported that during one such encounter, gunfire and shelling spilled over into Indian territory near the border town of Zokhawthar in the Champhai district.
One refugee is said to have lost their life while attempting to cross the Tiau River, which delineates the border between the two nations.
An official stated, “We have received reports that one national from Mizoram also died in the gunfight earlier this week, and there are three additional unverified reports of drowning.”
Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, over 30,000 nationals from that country have entered Mizoram in search of refuge.
