High alert in Mizoram after clashes erupt at the Myanmar border that force over 1,000 citizens to seek refuge in India

A state of high alert has been declared in Mizoram's Champhai district as intense gunfire erupted between the Myanmar army and rebel groups along the border since Sunday evening. This conflict has prompted hundreds of Myanmar citizens residing near the border to seek refuge on the Indian side. In the aftermath of the violence, over 1,000 individuals from towns and villages close to the border have reportedly crossed into India. Two individuals with injuries have been transported to Champhai for medical treatment.

“Fighting started on Sunday evening. It continued through the night and ended early on Monday morning. There are also reports of bombing close to the international border, but there’s no damage on the Indian side,” said James Lalrinchhana, deputy commissioner of Champhai.

As per authorities, a clash erupted on Sunday between the Myanmar military and members of the Chinland Defence Force (CDF), an organization established in 2021 in opposition to the military junta in the neighboring country. The Deputy Commissioner said that efforts were being made to verify the precise situation on the ground, with a team of magistrates dispatched to Zokhawthar, a border town in Champhai.

As per reports, over a 1,000 individuals who dwelled in the border area, infiltrated into the Indian side, seeking refuge from the chaos that ensued. “We can’t say exactly how many Myanmar nationals have entered India since Sunday. This has been a regular feature for over two years now. Every time there’s fresh violence in Myanmar, citizens of that country enter India for safety. Most of them return when the situation becomes normal,” he said.

Vineet Kumar, Champhai's Superintendent of Police, assured that there have been no reports of harm or injuries to individuals on the Indian side as a result of incidents occurring across the border. He stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and assessing developments.