"Can't remain indifferent to their sufferings," Mizoram CM to Centre on Myanmar refugees fleeing coup

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Saturday urged the Centre to review its order directing the four northeastern states, which share borders with Myanmar, and border guarding forces to prevent the illegal influx of people from Myanmar and to deport them expeditiously.

The Mizo National Front (MNF) chief, in a letter to the Prime Minister on March 18, requested him to personally intervene in the matter to provide asylum to the political refugees on humanitarian grounds, an official at the CM's office said on Saturday. Zoramthanga urged that India, as the world’s largest democracy, and Myanmar’s immediate neighbour, needs to do more and open up more in this matter.

CM's request came in the wake of an influx of Myanmar nationals, mostly of Chin communities, who share ethnicity with the Mizos, to Mizoram following last month’s military coup in Myanmar.

MNF is part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), but the party does not have an alliance with the BJP in the state.

"This (MHA advisory) is not acceptable to Mizoram. I understand that there are certain foreign policy issues where India needs to proceed cautiously. However, we cannot ignore this humanitarian crisis," Zoramthanga said in the letter.

He pointed out that Myanmar areas, bordering Mizoram, are inhabited by the Chin communities, who are "our Mizo brethren with whom we have been having close contacts throughout all these years even before India became an independent country."

He said that a human catastrophe of gigantic proportions is happening in Myanmar, and innocent hapless citizens are being persecuted and killed by the military, who are supposed to be their guardians and protectors.

"Therefore, Mizoram cannot just remain indifferent to their sufferings. India cannot turn a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis unfolding right in front of us in our own backyard," the letter read.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena told PTI that the number of Myanmarese refugees taking shelter in the northeastern state has soared to over 1,000.
An officer in the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), however, said that as per official records, a total of 547 Myanmarese have entered Mizoram since the coup on February 1.

He added that the Myanmar nationals took refuge in 8 Mizoram districts, including Aizawl and most of them are handled by local NGOs. A leader of an organisation, who chose to be anonymous, said that more than 100, including some political leaders, are currently taking refuge in Aizawl. Several organisations, including the apex student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), are raising money through crowdfunding to support the Myanmar nationals. 

Source: eastmojo.com, hindustantimes.com

Written by Siddhant Sharma