Thousands seek refuge in Mizoram following airstrikes in Myanmar

Around 5000 Myanmar nationals are now taking shelter in the Zokhawthar area of Mizoram's Champhai district as they fled from Myanmar and entered the Champhai district following a fresh airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The district administration, NGOs, the Young Mizo Association, and the Village Council have provided food, clothes, and medicines to the Myanmar refugees who are now taking shelter in makeshift tents in the Zokhawthar area.
According to the leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Zokhawthar, there are around 4-5 relief and refugee camps in the area.

Zokhawthar is a village in Mizoram's Champhai district, which shares its border with Myanmar.

#WATCH | Champhai, Mizoram: Myanmar nationals take shelter in the Zokhawthar area after they fled Myanmar following a recent airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border. pic.twitter.com/RoMrrKNtT4

— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

There are around 160 families from Myanmar now residing in Lipui in the Zokhawthar area.

According to F Biaktinsanga, the Financial Secretary of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), a significant influx of people, estimated between 5,000 to 6,000, are there in India from Myanmar. These individuals are being supported by various NGOs and the district administration, which provide essential items such as food and clothing.

"5000 people or 6,000 people are coming to India. Here, some NGO organisations provide food and clothing. The district administration and minister are also helping the Myanmar people with what they need. Here, they are living very peacefully. We care about them and whatever problem they have, we get help from the Young Mizo Association (YMA). We just go and help them if they have problems. Many children are here, and some women are also here. We provide Daal, cerelac and milk for the children and some vitamins. We also provide diapers and clothes for children because they didn't take anything with them when they fled their country. They do not have anything like blankets or mattress, so we provide them," F. Biaktinsanga, YMA Zokhawthar Financial Secretary, told ANI.

#WATCH | F. Biaktinsanga, YMA(Young Mizo Association) Zokhawthar Financial Secretary says, "... Around 5000-6000 people have come to India, can't say the exact numbers...here an NGO provided some food, clothes etc...here they're living very peacefully and as people of Mizoram. We… pic.twitter.com/62GPBU3AMq

— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

In a recent development along the Myanmar border, the People's Defence Force (PDF) of Myanmar attacked and captured two Myanmar Army posts. This led to 39 Myanmar Army personnel seeking refuge in Mizoram and subsequently surrendering to the Mizoram Police. The total number of Myanmar Army personnel who have surrendered so far stands at 42. More than 5000 people have taken refuge in two border villages, Mizoram Inspector-General of Police (IGP) (Headquarters), Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said on Tuesday.

(With ANI inputs)