Myanmar Clashes Drive Thousands to Seek Refuge in India

Myanmar Clashes Drive Thousands to Seek Refuge in India
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As of Monday, nearly 4,000 people have fled into India over the past four days due to intense fighting in Myanmar, according to Arab News quoting Indian officials from the northeastern state of Mizoram. The refugees escaped clashes between rival Chin armed groups by navigating dense forest routes to cross into India, according to Mizoram’s home secretary, Vanlalmawia.

Many of the newcomers are staying with relatives on the Indian side, while others are being accommodated in community halls. Mizoram, a remote hilly state, already hosts over 30,000 refugees from Myanmar, where a brutal civil war has been ongoing since the military takeover in 2021.

A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed that approximately 4,000 people crossed the border in the last four days. The fighting between these Chin groups—both opposed to Myanmar’s military regime—continues as they vie for control over the Chinland region.

Due to the ongoing tensions across the border, Indian authorities have not requested the refugees to return. India, aiming to strengthen its relationship with Myanmar as a strategic counterbalance to China, has avoided openly condemning the military coup in Myanmar.