Military coup in Myanmar forces 20 people to cross over to Mizoram

AIZAWL

At least 20 people including security elements have moved to Mizoram because of the current military coup in Myanmar.

Residents along Champhai and Serchhip districts have reported that around 50 people from Myanmar have crossed over the international line, all belonging from the Chin ethnic group.

Serchhip Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek told agencies that five people, who include members of a family, crossed over the border and entered Mizoram on Thursday, while three others did so on March 3.

The Deputy Commissioner also said that details of the refugees are not yet available.

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Serchhip’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Stephen Lalrinawma told The Hindu that the security personnel came along with the civilians as they could not follow certain instructions.

India shares a 1,643-km border with Myanmar and the state of Mizoram shares a 404 km long porous border and this exodus of an ethnic group, which belongs to the Mizo community, comes at a time when the neighbouring country is under the tight grip of the military.

The Assam Rifles Deputy Inspector General Digvijay Singh said that the force was directed not to allow any illegal entry from the neighbouring country.

It may be mentioned that the Mizo Students’ Union last month appealed to the state government to provide political asylum.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)