The intensifying conflict between the Myanmar army and civil forces has led to an influx of individuals from Myanmar seeking refuge in Indian territory, an Indian official confirmed on Tuesday.
Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, addressed the situation, highlighting that during escalated fighting in Myanmar, individuals from the neighboring country often seek safety in Indian areas near the border and may eventually return home.
Clarifying India's stance, Lt Gen Kalita stated that common villagers seeking refuge are generally not prevented from entering India during periods of instability across the border. He emphasized that any instability in India’s neighboring countries impacts India due to the shared borders and challenging geography.
The porous India-Myanmar border and shared ethnicity between the people on either side create challenges in distinguishing residents of each country. The Free Movement Regime (FMR), allowing individuals from both sides to venture 16 km into each other's territory without formal documentation, further complicates identification.
While acknowledging that some individuals from Myanmar have sought shelter in Indian states like Manipur and Mizoram, Lt Gen Kalita assured that protocols were in place to prevent armed groups from entering Indian territory. Stringent measures include recording biometric information, establishing camps, and monitoring immigrants to ensure they are not affiliated with militant outfits.
The recent incident involving Myanmar army personnel seeking refuge in Mizoram saw proper verification and separation of weapons before their transfer to the Myanmar authorities at the Manipur border town of Moreh.
Efforts to fence the 1,643 km India-Myanmar border are underway in phases, with recent events also seeing Myanmar soldiers and civilians seeking shelter in Indian territory amid ongoing conflicts in Myanmar.
The Mizoram administration has provided aid, including food and medical assistance, to refugees. This influx of refugees began in February 2021 following the seizure of power by the military junta in Myanmar, resulting in over 32,000 individuals, including women and children, seeking shelter in northeastern Indian states like Mizoram.
(With Agency Inputs)
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