A senior official in the state government who does not want to be named told ET, “Around 11,000 people are taking shelter in the state.”
The military seized power on February 1, detaining the country’s elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her government. A one-year state of emergency has been declared in Myanmar where power is assumed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The National Unity Government (NUG), called for a countrywide uprising earlier this week and there was a fight with the military soldiers.The official said that around 150 people have taken shelter in Champhai, Lawngtlai and Hnahthial districts bordering Myanmar.
Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana told the media here that if the attacks and counter-attacks by the Myanmar military and the opposition forces continue, more people are likely to come into Mizoram for shelter.
NGOs in Mizoram are making arrangement to house the refugees. Large number of people who crossed to India belonged to the Chin community. They are also known as Zo and share the same ancestry, ethnicity and culture as the Mizos of Mizoram.
Mizoram shares a 510 km long unfenced border with Myanmar.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga had earlier urged the Centre to provide asylum to refugees fleeing Myanmar.
He had also opposed the Centre’s order to security forces to stop Myanmar citizens from entering the state and deport refugees.
The union home ministry in a communique to the chief secretaries of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, and the director general of Assam Rifles on March 10 stated that there was a probability of large-scale illegal influx into the Indian territory due to the current internal situation in Myanmar. It had earlier issued an advisory to these states and the security forces to stay alert and take appropriate action to prevent a possible influx into Indian territory.
The union ministry had also said that state governments had no power to grant refugee status to any foreigners.
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