Over 2,000 Myanmar nationals entered India through the international border in Mizoram over the last 24 hours after airstrikesꦕ following an intense gunfight in the neighbouring country's Chin state,ꦓ the reports said.
James Lalrinchhana, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Champhai district which shares a border with Myanmar's Chin ♕state, said that an intense gunfight broke out between Myanmar's ruling junta-backed forces and militia group People's Defence♒ Force (PDF) on Sunday evening, reported PTI.
The fighting started after the PDF attacked two military bases at Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar in Chin sta👍te near the Indian border, he said.
He added that the fighting continued till Monday.
Over 2,000 people from Khawmawi, Rihkhawdar and the neighbouring 🉐villages in Chin crossed over to India and took shelter in Zokhawthar in Champhai district due to the gunfight, Lalrinchhana said.
The▨ Myanmar military base at Rihkhawdar was taken over by the militia in the early hours of Monday, and the base at Khawmawi was also ✅taken over by them in the afternoon, he said.
In retalia🦩tion, the Myanmar army ✨launched airstrikes on Khawimawi and Rihkhawdar villages on Monday, he said.
At least 17 people injured in t🍰he gunfight were brought to Champhai for treatment, Lalrinchhana said.
A 51-year-old civilian from Myanmar who was already livingᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ in Zokhawthar died when the gunfight was happening on the🍰 other side of the border, the DC said.
Lo𓄧cal sources said he was allegedly hit by a stray bullet from across the border.
Zokhawthar Village Council president Lalmuanpuia told PTI that five 🍒personnel of the Chin National Army (CNA), which was a part of the PDF, were killed in the gunfight.
Lalmuanpuia said that more than 6,000 p🍸eople from Myanmar were already living in🍌 Zokhawthar before the gunfight started.
Six districts of the state -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual -- share a 510-km-long border wit🌠h Myanmar's Chin state.
The first influx from the neighbouring country happened in February 2021 when the junta seized power. Sincﷺe then, thousands of people from Myanmar have taken shelter in the northeastern state.
According to the state Home Department, 31,364 Myanmar nationals are currently living in different parts of the state. The majority oಌf t🔜hem live in relief camps, while others are accommodated by their local relatives and some live in rented houses.
The Myanmar nationals taking shelter in Mizoram are from the Chin community, who share ethnic ties with the Mizos.
