AIZAWL: The Mizoram Home Department has stated that over 1,500 fresh Myanmar refugees entered Mizoram during the past week.
This fresh influx of Myanmar nationals is owing to renewed battles between the Myanmar Army, known as the Tatmadaw, and an alliance of three ethnic insurgent groups, including the Chin National Army (CNA).
With this arrival the total number of refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in Mizoram has risen to over 35,120, the department stated.
As per reports, Myanmar refugees have sought shelter in the five districts of Mizoram—Champhai, Serchhip, Lawngtlai, Siaha, and Aizawl.
The Myanmarese took shelter in Mizoram in different phases after the military takeover in the conflict-ridden country in February 2021.
In addition to the Myanmar nationals, around 2,000 Bangladeshi tribals, belonging to the Bawm community, have taken shelter in Mizoram since November 2022.
The Bangladeshi refugees from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh fled from their villages and sought refuge in Mizoram after an offensive by the Bangladeshi Army against the insurgent group Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA).
The Kuki-Zomi-Chin- Bawm tribes in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur share ethnic ties and cultural and linguistic similarities with the Mizo people.
Notably, Mizoram shares a 510-km-long unfenced border with Myanmar and a 318-km international border with Bangladesh.
