Representational picture. AP
Over 2,000 Myanmar nationals entered India by way of the worldwide border in Mizoram over the past 24 hours after airstrikes following an intense gunfight within the neighbouring nation’s Chin state, an official mentioned on Monday.
James Lalrinchhana, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Champhai district which shares a border with Myanmar’s Chin state, informed PTI that an intense gunfight broke out between Myanmar’s ruling junta-backed forces and militia group Folks’s Defence Drive (PDF) on Sunday night.
The preventing began after the PDF attacked two navy bases at Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar in Chin state close to the Indian border, he mentioned, including that the preventing continued until Monday.
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Over 2,000 folks from Khawmawi, Rihkhawdar and the neighbouring villages in Chin crossed over to India and took shelter in Zokhawthar in Champhai district because of the gunfight, Lalrinchhana mentioned.
The Myanmar navy base at Rihkhawdar was taken over by the militia within the early hours of Monday, and the bottom at Khawmawi was additionally taken over by them within the afternoon, he mentioned.
In retaliation, the Myanmar military launched airstrikes on Khawimawi and Rihkhawdar villages on Monday, he mentioned.
No less than 17 folks injured within the gunfight had been dropped at Champhai for therapy, Lalrinchhana mentioned.
A 51-year-old civilian from Myanmar who was already dwelling in Zokhawthar died when the gunfight was taking place on the opposite facet of the border, the DC mentioned.
Native sources mentioned he was allegedly hit by a stray bullet from throughout the border.
Zokhawthar Village Council president Lalmuanpuia informed PTI that 5 personnel of the Chin Nationwide Military (CNA), which was part of the PDF, had been killed within the gunfight.
Lalmuanpuia mentioned that greater than 6,000 folks from Myanmar had been already dwelling in Zokhawthar earlier than the gunfight began.
Six districts of the state — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual — share a 510-km-long border with Myanmar’s Chin state.
The primary inflow from the neighbouring nation occurred in February 2021 when the junta seized energy. Since then, hundreds of individuals from Myanmar have taken shelter within the northeastern state.
In accordance with the state Dwelling Division, 31,364 Myanmar nationals are at present dwelling in several components of the state. The vast majority of them reside in reduction camps, whereas others are accommodated by their native family and a few reside in rented homes.
The Myanmar nationals taking shelter in Mizoram are from the Chin neighborhood, who share ethnic ties with the Mizos.