39 Myanmarese soldiers, 5,000 civilians seek Mizoram refuge

GUWAHATI/AIZAWL: Fleeing an intense firefight between Myanmar's ruling junta-backed forces and militia groups, about 4,000 to 5,000 Myanmarese nationals, of which 39 are army personnel, took refuge in villages of neighbouring Mizoram's Champhai district on Sunday.
Champhai deputy commissioner James Lalrinchhana told TOI, "We have not done the exact head count yet, but about 4,000 to 5,000 people from Myanmar have entered Champhai district and nearby areas since Sunday evening.There are existing camps for the displaced people, mostly women and children, coming from Myanmar, and we will shelter them."
Among the refugees, 21 have sustained injuries and the condition of five among them were said to be critical. They have been taken to Aizawl for better treatment. Those injured were first admitted to the Mercy Medical Health Centre at Zokhawthar before being taken to the Champhai district hospital.
Zokhawthar village council president Lalmuanpuia said 39 Myanmar army personnel - who escaped from their Khawmawi army camp after it was overrun by the combined forces of Kachin Independent Army (KIA), Chin National Army (CNA) and Chin Defence Force (CDF), all local civil militia groups, have surrendered their arms at Zokhawthar police station.
According to a government official, one Myanmarese refugee staying in a camp in Mizoram's bordering district for a year was also killed by a splinter from an RPG fired by the Myanmar army that strayed into the Indian territory. The killed refugee has been identified as Chungthianmawia (51).
MHA intimated about Myanmar armymen
Reverend Laldeihpau of the Evangelical Baptist Church led Chungthianmawi's funeral at Zokhawthar Young Mizo Association (YMA) hall at around 1 pm. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
The refugees from upper Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar and adjacent villages in Myanmar have started entering Champhai district in the last 24 hours. The distance between Zokhawthar in Champhai district of Mizoram and Khawmawi village in Chin State of Myanmar is only 30 meters, and the international border is divided by just a small river known as Tiau. However, Rihkhawdar is around four km from Zokhawthar.
Champhai DC Lalrinchhana said many refugees, who had entered India earlier, left for their homes when the situation became normal. "Those whose houses were burnt down and have nowhere to go now are still in the camps here," he added.
A senior police officer said the matter was intimated to the MHA. "It is most likely that the ministry of external affairs will make arrangements to hand over the Myanmar army personnel to the Myanmar military government through the Assam Rifles," the official said.