News Analysis India

Tag: Myanmar Coup

  • 29 students, who escaped from Myanmar following military coup, to appear for Mizoram board exams

    By PTI

    AIZAWL: A total of 29 boys and girls, who had fled Myanmar along with their parents in the face of atrocities last year and taken refuge in Mizoram, are set to appear in the state board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 later this month, a minister said.

    Mizoram Education Minister Lalchhandama Ralte told PTI that 27 students have registered for the Class 10 examination and two for the Class 12 test.

    He said the students had taken refuge in south Mizoram’s Siaha district and Champhai district in the eastern part of the state bordering Myanmar.

    Thousands of Myanmar nationals, who escaped from the Southeast Asian nation since the military seized power in February last year, have been taking shelter in community halls, schools and relief camps set up by NGOs and villagers in different parts of Mizoram.

    The Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) will conduct the examinations for Class 10 on February 28 and the tests for Class 12 on March 1, via the offline mode.

    Ralte said the state government had earlier issued a notification allowing children of Myanmar nationals to register for the board examinations.

    “We decided to give these students a chance, as we don’t want to see their careers getting jeopardised because they were displaced. We have to assist them at least on humanitarian grounds,” he said.

    According to an official of the school education department, over 1,000 children from Myanmar are now enrolled in Mizoram schools in different classes.

    Most of the Myanmar nationals, who fled to the state, belong to the Chin community, which shares ethnic ties with the Mizos, officials said.

    Six Mizoram districts – Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual – share a 510-km-long international border with Myanmar’s Chin state.

  • Mizoram CM writes to PM Modi again, seeks aid for Myanmar refugees

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: As Mizoram witnesses a fresh influx of distressed Myanmar nationals, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has written another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to provide humanitarian aid to the refugees.

    Even as Mizoram was struggling to take care of some 10,000 refugees, hundreds of others fled to the landlocked state from Myanmar’s Chin State over the past few days following renewed clashes between pro-democratic supporters and the country’s military.

    H Rammawi, vice-chairman of State Planning Board who is handling the refugee issue, said the CM, in his letter to the PM, highlighted the plight of the refugees. Stating that Zoramthanga has written similar letters to Modi over the past few months, Rammawi said the state was seeking the Centre’s help for asylum and humanitarian assistance for the refugees.

    Earlier, Rammawi and the state’s two MPs met the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs several times but the bureaucrats had said it was up to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take any decision on the refugee crisis. Subsequently, the Mizoram lawmakers had taken up the issue with the MEA officials but a request to revisit the foreign policy towards Myanmar was ignored.

    In a letter to Modi written in March, Zoramthanga had stated “India cannot turn a blind eye” to the humanitarian crisis.

    The refugees are lodged in community halls, public halls, school buildings etc. The Mizoram government recently started enrolling their children into schools.

    People from Myanmar’s Chin community and the Mizos in India belong to Zo ethnic group and they share the same ancestry.

    Talking about the influx, Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana had recently told this newspaper: “Before the arrival of the British, it was one country. The Britishers divided the Mizo-inhabited areas into Burma and India. But till today, we have inter-marriage and blood relations.”

  • More than 700 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in Mizoram in past few weeks: Police

    By PTI
    AIZAWL: Over 700 people from Myanmar, mostly civilians, have entered Mizoram in the past few weeks, a police officer said on Sunday.

    He said that the new entrants who made their way to Mizoram were mostly civilians, including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens.

    Altogether 10,025 nationals of the neighbouring country have so far sneaked into Mizoram following the military coup in Myanmar in February, he said.

    At least 22 members of the Myanmar parliament are among those who have taken refuge in the state, the police officer said.

    The Chief Minister of Myanmar’s Chin state, Salai Lian Luai, had crossed over to Mizoram on June 14, he said.

    ALSO READ | Facebook amplified Myanmar military propaganda, rights group claims 

    The officer said that a sizeable number of Myanmarese refugees have already returned to their country.

    Quoting data of the state police, the officer said, 195 people from Myanmar have entered Champhai district between June 15 and June 26.

    Of the 11 districts in Mizoram, the Myanmar nationals are living in 10 districts with the border district Champhai alone housing 4,352 people of the neighbouring country, he said.

    As many 1,621 people from Myanmar have taken shelter in a community housing complex in Aizawl, it said.

    Meanwhile, an official, who did not wish to be named, said that Myanmar nationals especially from the Chin state have entered Indian territory in small batches at regular interval since February.

    Many of the Myanmar nationals who entered Mizoram recently could be not be prevented even by security forces because most of them were women, children, and senior citizens, she said.

    Meanwhile, MC Lalramenga, president of Tuipuiral group of Young Mizo Association (YMA) in Champhai district told PTI that two makeshift camps are being erected on the outskirts of Zawlsei village, about 20 km from the Myanmar border.

    The makeshift camps are being set up by YMA volunteers to give shelter to people from Myanmar on humanitarian grounds.

    A refugee camp will also be constructed by villagers at Farkawn and Vaphai villages, he said.

    There are 21 villages within the jurisdiction of the Tuipuiral group of YMA, which falls under the East Tuipui assembly constituency in Champhai district.

    Presently, 1,419 Myanmar nationals have taken shelter at 20 villages in Tuipuiral area, according to Lalramenga.

    A sizeable number of Myanmar nationals are also camping along the Tiau river on the Mizoram side of the international border as they have been asked not to enter the north-eastern state due to the pandemic, the police officer said.

    Six Mizoram districts- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial, and Saitual share a 510-km-long international border with Myanmar.

  • Myanmar coup: Manipur scribes’ body seeks safe passage for journalists taking refuge in state

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: Three journalists have fled the coup-hit Myanmar and are taking refuge in Manipur.

    This comes after over 2,000 Myanmar nationals, including 14 lawmakers, fled to Mizoram.

    The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) appealed to the Manipur government to give the trio the respect that journalists are accorded anywhere and safe passage to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in New Delhi.

    “We learnt from reliable sources that the three journalists from Mizzima news organisation fled Myanmar and were holed up somewhere in Moreh in Manipur,” AMWJU president, Bijoy Kakchingtabam said.

    He said the state government was yet to communicate with the AMWJU on the matter.

    ALSO READ | Myanmar coup: 14 lawmakers among 2,000 enter Mizoram to escape deadly junta

    “The Mizzima is an independent media organisation of Myanmar locals, and the journalists, taking shelter in Moreh, are living in fear that they may be pushed back to Myanmar where their lives and security would be in great danger. They are also fearful of harassment by the Indian security establishment,” the scribes’ body said in a statement.

    After the February military takeover in Myanmar, the junta has taken away the licence of Mizzima, arrested several of its journalists, raided the Mizzima office in Yangon and froze its bank account, the AMWJU said in the statement.

    The statement further said the fleeing journalists were refugees, seeking asylum in India due to persecution in Myanmar.

    “We appeal to the Manipur government to make necessary concessions to allow the journalists to come to Imphal and that all facilities are extended to them, so they can proceed to Delhi to seek the protection of UNHCR,” the statement added.

    The Centre had earlier issued instructions to the Assam Rifles and four northeastern states such as Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to thwart any possible influx of people from Myanmar.

  • Don’t provide food or shelter to fleeing Myanmar nationals: Manipur government tells DMs

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: The Manipur government has directed the Deputy Commissioners (District Magistrates) of five districts to not open any camps to provide food and shelter to people fleeing coup-hit Myanmar.Manipur’s Special Secretary (Home), H Gyan Prakash issued the directives in a “confidential” memo to the DMs of Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur, all of which share a border with Myanmar.“As the fallout of the events taking place in…Myanmar, it is reported that the country’s nationals have been trying to enter India through the border states, including Manipur. In this regard, I am directed to request you to kindly take the following actions,” the memo reads.The DMs have been directed that people trying to enter/seek refuge in Manipur should be politely turned away but in case of grievous injuries, medical attention may be provided on humanitarian consideration.“Aadhar enrolment should be stopped immediately and Aadhar enrolment kits taken into safe custody. A report on action taken may kindly be submitted by 30/03/2021,” the memo reads.Apart from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share a border with Myanmar. Over 500 nationals of the neighbouring country have already made their way into Mizoram.Recently, the Mizoram government had written to the Centre, requesting it to view the Myanmar refugee crisis on humanitarian grounds and allow the fleeing people to enter India. But the Centre has directed the Assam Rifles to thwart influx from Myanmar.India shares a 1,643 km land border with Myanmar. People from Myanmar’s Chin community and the Mizos in India belong to the Zo ethnic group and they share the same ancestry. The Chin people are settled in Myanmar’s Chin State, which shares a 404 km porous border with Mizoram.

  • India pushes for strategic Kaladan transit project through Myanmar to ramp-up its Act East Policy

    Express News Service
    ZORINPUI (Aizawl): Keeping an eye on the strategic interests of the country, the Indian government has mobilised its strategic road infrastructure to Myanmar through Mizoram, aiming to boost India’s Act East Policy even while disturbance prevails along the Indo-Myanmar borders, with refugees trickling in.Brigadier Digvijay Singh, 23 Sector Assam Rifles Commandant said, “The Kaladan Multi–Modal Transit Transport (KMMTTP) is progressing at a fast pace without any hindrance from the Arakan Army. It will have a huge impact on society both economic as well as on the development of South Mizoram.”Colonel Bejoy R, Commandant of the Assam Rifles battalion at Lunglei told, “The road route will have 33 bridges, out of which 8 are on the Indian side and work on seven is in advanced stages.” The area linking India and Myanmar with a bridge falls under his Unit.All these bridges will be of class 70 bridge. Class 70 means the bridge can bear a load of 70 tonnes. Military machines like T-90 tanks, surface-to-air missiles, and infantry combat vehicles can easily be transported.The situation along the borders has been palpable with the refugees entering India since February 1 when the Myanmar military seized power.

    The 23 Sector is entrusted with the responsibility of the Border management with Myanmar and in extending support to the civil administration apart from counter-insurgency operations.This road is strategically important for it will be a gateway to South Asia and also will provide for military beef up in case of requirements.

    Also, China has been strengthening its influence over Myanmar.The Project approved in 2008 has seen major cost escalation, from 536 crores to 3200 crore, and timelines missed in 2015 and 2021. It is now expected to be completed by 2023.The strategic project will link West Bengal’s Haldia port with the Sittwe port in the Rakhine State of Myanmar by sea.

    It will also connect the Sittwe seaport with Paletwa in the Chin State via the Kaladan river route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram’s Lawngtlai. It would also reduce the distance by about 1,000 km and time by 4 days.It was conceived to obviate the potential threat from China as the northeastern part of the country is geographically is only connected by a narrow “Chicken-Neck” area called as the Siliguri Corridor. The corridor is around 200 km long and there is a stretch that is just 17km wide.Sources attributed the Chinese for targeting Indian work in Myanmar. Myanmar-based terrorist group ‘Arakan Army’ has been attacking Indian investments aiming to delay Indian projects.Sources on the ground said, “China never wanted that the Kaladan project be succeeded and the reason why it is supplying arms to insurgent groups present in Myanmar.”

    The locals believe that this project will integrate northeastern states with the rest of India through better means of communication, ensuring the benefits of various Central government policies to the people of the region.H Lalmuansanga, Lai Autonomous District Council member and advisor to chief executive member said, “This is one of the most backward districts of India. The KMTT project is a gateway to Southeast Asia and before the project completed, we need to uplift the local people. If you look at the economic, financial and educational condition of the local, it is very backward.” “As part of India’s Act East Policy, this project is very beneficial for the state of Mizoram and its people. I want to bring the attention of the central government with regards to development of locals.

    “We want the intake of locals into Indian Army should be increased. I request the central government to listen to our voices. I hope that the central government not only concentrate on the international strategic policy but also develop the local people,” Joseph Lalhmingthanga, Secretary Young Lai Association said.

  • Grant refugee status to Myanmarese people who fled to India: Mizoram body to Centre

    By PTI
    AIZAWL: An organisation representing an ethnic group present in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh on Tuesday demonstrated in Aizawl demanding that the Centre grant refugee status to the Myanmarese people, who fled to Mizoram following last months military coup in the neighbouring country.

    The Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to withdraw its order directing four Northeastern states — Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh — bordering Myanmar to guard against the influx of people from that country.

    Hundreds of refugees have arrived in Mizoram since the military seized power in Myanmar last month.

    Mizoram shares a 510 km long porous border with Myanmar’s Chin state and most of the Myanmarese nationals, who have taken refuge in the state, belonged to the Chin, also known as the Zo, community.

    They share the same ancestry and culture as the Mizos of Mizoram.

    “Thousands of people from Bangladesh and other countries have illegally migrated to India in the past. The central government accepted them as refugees and provided them with asylum.”

    “But now it has instructed the four border states to identify and deport the Myanmarese nationals, who have taken refuge in the country,” ZORO president R Sangkawia said while addressing the demonstrators.

    The Centre is discriminating against the Zo community people, he alleged.

    Sangkawia claimed that around 750 people from Myanmar have crossed the international border and enter Mizoram to take refuge.

    Earlier, the ZORO had urged the Centre to impose sanctions on the military junta led government of Myanmar.

    Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga last week called “not acceptable” the Centre’s order to prevent illegal immigration from Myanmar and ensure speedy deportation of refugees, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide them asylum on humanitarian grounds.

    India is not a signatory to the UN Convention on refugees.

  • Mizoram can’t remain indifferent to sufferings of Myanmarese refugees: CM writes Centre

    Every day, terrified Myanmarese people are struggling to cross over into Mizoram in search of shelter and protection, he said.

  • Myanmar urges Mizoram to hand over its cops who fled country

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: Myanmar has written to the authorities in Mizoram requesting the state to detain and hand over eight “Myanmar police personnel who were runaway towards Indian territory.”

    Mizoram’s Champhai District Magistrate Maria CT Zuali confirmed having received a letter from Myanmar’s Falam district counterpart, Saw Htun Win.

    The letter, dated March 5, reads: “In order to uphold friendly relations between the two neighbor countries, you are kindly requested to detain 8 Myanmar police personnel who had arrived in Indian territories and hand over to Myanmar.”

    The letter had the names of four cops — a lieutenant corporal and three constables. One of them is a 25-year-old woman. Zuali said she had intimated the state government.

    Official sources said 15 people had arrived from Myanmar over the past few days. However, locals claimed more than 50 Myanmar nationals, including civilians, had arrived.

    India shares a 1,643 km land border with Myanmar. People from Myanmar’s Chin community and the Mizos in India belong to the Zo ethnic group and they share the same ancestry. The Chin people are settled in Myanmar’s Chin State, which shares a 404 km porous border with Mizoram.

    Claiming that the people have been affected by the civil unrest in Myanmar, the Mizo Students’ Union in Mizoram recently appealed to the state government seeking political asylum for them. But the government said it did not receive any request for asylum.

    “Even if there is a request and we make a decision, it has to be ratified by the Government of India since the issue concerns two countries,” Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana had said.

    In February, the Chin National Army, which is a Chin nationalist insurgent group in Myanmar, had approached village authorities in Champhai seeking shelter for the Chin people. The matter was subsequently brought to the notice of the state government.

    Over the past 40 years, thousands of Chin people migrated to Mizoram and made it their home.

  • 20 Myanmar nationals cross over to Mizoram, seek refuge

    By Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: At least 20 Myanmar nationals, including cops, crossed over to Mizoram seeking refuge.

    Locals, however, put the numbers above 50. Reports suggest 19 of them are policemen. The reason behind the migration of the people was not known.

    Four people entered Champhai and three in Serchip districts. The Serchip district authorities confirmed three people had crossed over on Wednesday. On Thursday, they said “more have come” but did not give the exact numbers.

    “We can’t say at this moment if they are policemen. They have been lodged at a community hall in Lungkawlh village (around eight km from the international border) after they entered Mizoram yesterday,” a senior official said about the first three people.

    Stating that the persons are being provided with food and security, he said the administration was checking their credentials.

    Champhai District Magistrate, Maria CT Zuali confirmed four people had crossed over to the district.

    “I heard some more people crossed over to other districts (of Mizoram) but I don’t have the details,” she said.

    India shares a 1,643 km land border with Myanmar. People from Myanmar’s Chin community and the Mizos in India belong to the Zo ethnic group and they share the same ancestry. The Chin people are settled in Myanmar’s Chin State, which shares a 404 km porous border with Mizoram.

    Claiming that the people have been affected by the civil unrest in Myanmar, the Mizo Students’ Union in Mizoram recently appealed to the state government seeking political asylum for them. But the government said it did not receive any request for asylum.

    “So far, none has applied to us seeking political sanctuary or political asylum. If at all there is a request and we make a decision, it has to be ratified by the Government of India since the issue concerns two countries,” Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana had said.

    In February, the Chin National Army, which is a Chin nationalist insurgent group in Myanmar, had approached village authorities in Champhai seeking shelter for the Chin people. The matter was subsequently brought to the notice of the state government.

    Over the past 40 years, thousands of Chin people migrated to Mizoram and made it their home.