Imphal: In the past two days, at least 65 refugees, including 27 women and 24 children, have fled from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to South Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, officials reported. This influx is attributed to ongoing ethnic violence and armed conflict between the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki Zo militants in the CHT region.
The latest group of refugees has found shelter in Va Thuampui village, where local villagers are providing them with food and temporary accommodations. With this new arrival, the total number of CHT refugees in Mizoram has reached 1,433. This increase follows a prior arrival on May 10, when 127 refugees entered Mizoram, seeking refuge in six different villages. The recent arrivals belong to the Bawm and Pang communities, who identify as part of the Kuki-Chin tribe.
The exodus of refugees from the CHT began in November 2022, sparked by violent confrontations between the Bangladesh Army and Kuki militant groups fighting for a separate state for the tribal populations in the CHT.
Ongoing Refugee Crisis from Myanmar
In addition to the CHT refugees, Mizoram has been grappling with a significant influx of people from Myanmar. Following the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, over 34,350 people from the Chin state have sought refuge in Mizoram, dispersing across all 11 districts of the state. Mizoram shares extensive unfenced borders with both Myanmar (510 km) and Bangladesh (318 km), making it a primary destination for those fleeing violence and political instability in these regions.
Politics behind opposing to border fencing:
The situation is further complicated by protests from Kuki Zo organisations against the decision to dismantle the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the proposed border fencing with Myanmar. The FMR allows for movement up to 16 km on both sides of the border, facilitating cross-border connectivity and maintaining inter-community relations.
Zoro, a prominent Mizo group advocating for the reunification of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribes, is at the forefront of the opposition. ZORO is advocating for a common administrative system uniting the Chin, Kuki, Zomi and Mizo people of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The refugee crisis in Mizoram highlights the region’s ongoing struggles with ethnic violence, political instability, and the complexities of maintaining cultural ties across borders. As the state continues to accommodate thousands of refugees from both Bangladesh and Myanmar, the huge influx is causing a serious security concern for the country.
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