Myanmar nationals take shelter in Mizoram's Champhai after airstrike

Following an airstrike by the Myanmar army near the Indo-Myanmar border, approximately 5000 Myanmarese refugees have sought shelter in the Zokhawthar area of Mizoram's Champhai district. Zokhawthar, a village in Champhai, shares its border with Myanmar.

The district administration, along with NGOs, the Young Mizo Association, and the Village Council, have extended aid to the refugees, providing food, clothing, and medical supplies.

The refugees are currently residing in temporary tents in Zokhawthar. According to the leaders of the Young Mizo Association in Zokhawthar, about four to five relief and refugee camps have been established in the area.

The Myanmar Army and People's Defence Force (PDF) are currently embroiled in a fierce conflict, resulting in an increase in refugees entering India.

A crucial meeting was recently conducted by Assam Rifles officers with village chiefs from Mizoram and leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) to deliberate on the escalating refugee crisis in border villages, as per sources. In the aftermath of the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, about 32,000 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in various districts of Mizoram, including Zokhawthar village.

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