Over 280 people, mostly women and children, from Arakan in Myanmar have taken refuge at two villages in southernmost Mizoram’s Siaha district, a senior police official said today. The refugees have taken refuge in the Lungpuk village and Khalkhy hamlet.
The Assam Rifles personnel posted in the border areas and the district administration provided necessary assistance to the refugees while the villagers of the two villages also made arrangements for food and lodging, the official said.
Siaha district Superintendent of Police had already reached Lungpuk village and made elaborate security arrangements, the official said.
The people from Ralie village fled Myanmar due to reported impending confrontation between the Arakan Army (AA) militants and the Myanmar Army. The Arakan Army is an insurgent group that has been in conflict with the Rohingyas since 2012. The Assam Rifles officials had informed the Myanmar Army officials and appealed to the latter to ensure safety of the refugees in Myanmar.
China has also been bearing the Myanmar’s refugee burden but it’s strict border regulations and constant skirmishes with Myanmar-based insurgent groups have made India a more preferable haven for Myanmar’s refugees in the recent conflict.