More than 383 residents of Myanmar which includes women and children have as of now crossed the border seeking refuge from February after the military coup and crack-down over pre-democracy movement in Myanmar, according to an official from the state home department on Monday.
He said around 98 per cent Myanmar nationals who entered Mizoram stated that they belong to police force and fire service. The official said they don’t take have any documentary proofs to support their word. From the 383 residents, verification has been complete for 297 and 86 are supposedly going to be verified or confirmed.
An official revealed to PTI, “As per the state home department record as on Monday, 383 people from Myanmar have already entered five Mizoram districts and 86 of them are yet to be confirmed.”
The state of Mizoram has six districts – Champhai, Lawngtlai, Saitual Siaha, Hnahthial and Serchhip sharing 510 km international border with Myanmar’s Chin state. As per the official, only Serchhip has not reported any entry of refugees from Myanmar post the coup.
He said most of the refugees are residing along with the locals, as a centre of hospitality for strangers,which is an inherent tradition of the Mizos. Attempts were made by state government and Assam Rifles to resist the influx, however the porous border led to the transfer.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga and Home Minister Lalchamliana stated earlier that the state government provide relief to the refugees based on humanitarian grounds for the Myanmar nationals who crossed the border and entered Mizoram due to the humanitarian crisis.
