Nirendra Dev
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 22: Mizos and Chin natives in neighbouring Myanmar sharing ethnic bonds and local dialects have added to certain complexities in India’s diplomatic and security strategies.
The Mizoram GFovernment has informed the Central Government in Delhi about the presence of a large number of ‘Myanmar nationals’ in the Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district and some other parts of Mizoram.
Social workers said many ‘Myanmar nationals’ were staying in the homes of their “relatives in Mizoram” as well. Officially those who have fled to Mizoram from Myanmar since February 2021 have not been given refugee status.
“There is need for extra vigilance as elections in Manipur are fast approaching”, a source said.
The civil war has intensified in Myanmar, especially in Chin State and adjoining Sagaing Division.
The National Unity Government (NUG) had declared a ‘Spring Revolution’ from September 7, 2021 marking the launch of a ‘civil war’ to oust the military junta.
Indian forces have intensified border security along the Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram and poll-bound Manipur, officials have said.
Three people were arrested by Assam Rifles and handed over to State Police on Friday.
Among the arrested persons, Sangkima (29) is said to be a Myanmarese national and a suspected cadre of the rebel group Chin National Army (CNA).
The seized contraband also included 1,000 numbers of INDRA ED aluminium instant detonators, Tata 912 truck, Rs 73,500 Indian currency and 9,35,000 Myanmar currency (Kyats).
Two others have been identified as local Lai tribals MC Lallungrualpuia (41) and Lal Thengliana (35) and Indian nationals. Reportedly the three individuals share ethnic bond and perhaps also speak similar local dialects.
The Assam Rifles personnel also seized a huge cache of explosives and other contraband including 2,500 kilograms of gelatin (dynamite) sticks and 4,500 meters of detonating fuse at Mizoram-Myanmar border Zawngling village in Siaha district.
The explosives reportedly originated from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and were allegedly being ‘transported’ to a fixed destination in Myanmar to arm the CNA militants.
Meanwhile, an estimated 500-600 people from Matupitownship in southern Chin State fled Myanmar and had taken shelter at a relief camp in Thaizawl village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district.
Local sources say the Chin people had to flee the village in Myanmar as the ‘military council’ soldiers murdered about 10 villagers.
The military in Myanmar took over power in February 2021.
Even Myanmar Government employees, policemen and fire service personnel had fled to
Mizoram last summer after they were reportedly ‘ordered’ by the military junta to open fire at anti-coup protesters.
The Union Home Ministry last year said that the State Governments and UT administrations have no power to grant “refugee” status to any foreigner.
Four Northeastern States share a 1,643 km unfenced border with Myanmar.
India’s Foreign Ministry has said that the rule of law should prevail in Myanmar. “We stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar”, MEA spokesman ArindamBagchi has said earlier.
