New Delhi: Myanmar has sought the return of eight policemen who crossed into Indian territory, even as the north-eastern state braced for more refugees with the Myanmarese military junta intensifying its security crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.
According to The Mizoram Post, a senior official of the state home department stated that at least 11 police personnel and five other civilians, including three children, have crossed the border and have taken refuge in Mizo villages.
On February 1, the military junta arrested the entire elected leadership, including State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and declared an emergency. Their action was triggered by the general elections, in which the National League of Democracy won an overwhelming mandate.
Following the military takeover, over 50 protestors were killed by security forces. There also has been a highly effective civil disobedience movement, which has paralysed several sectors of the official machinery.
On Saturday, Myanmarese authorities sent a letter to local Indian officials seeking a return of the police officers.
The letter from the deputy commission of Myanmar’s Falam district, Saw Htun Win, is addressed to the Indian counterpart in Champhai district, with the subject, “To detain Myanmar police personnel who were runaway towards Indian territories and hand over to Myanmar”
“It is (to) inform that according to inputs received from resources, eight police personnel from Myanmar police personnel from Myanmar police force were runaway towards to Indian territories,” the letter said.
It then claims that four of the policemen are in Aizwal, while the others are still in Champhai district. The names of the four Myanmar policemen in Champai district were listed – Lieutenant Corporal Hla Myo Htut (24), Constable Hlyan Awk Thang (22), Constable Cham Cham Thet Ko (22) and Constable Yamin Su Hted (25). Photographs of the four police personnel in CHamphai were also attached.
“In order to uphold friendly relations between the two neighbour countries, you are kindly request to detain 8 Myanmar police personnel who had arrived to Indian territories and handover to Myanmar,” wrote the Myanmar district head.
Soldiers stand outside Myanmar’s Central Bank during a protest against the military coup, in Yangon, Myanmar, February 15, 2021. Photo: Reuters/Stringer
According to Reuters, Champai deputy commissioner Maria C.T. Zuali said she was “waiting for the direction” from India’s Ministry for Home Affairs in New Delhi.
The Mizoram Post reported that the first batch of four Myanmar nationals entered India on February 28 and were staying in Champhai town. Another eight were lodged in a community hall at Serchhip district’s Lungkawlh village and the rest were living with locals in Serchhip district’s Cherhlun village.
In total, six districts of Mizoram share a long and porous mountainous border with Myanmar. Mizoram is already home to a large Chin community, who are ethnically connected to Mizos.
According to the Post, civil society organisations and student bodies in Mizoram also welcomed refugees from Myanmar with open arms, largely due to an ethnic affinity.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga said on Friday at the celebrations of the state’s most important festival, Chapchar Kut, that his government will provide relief to the refugees from Myanmar.
“We have learnt that some refugees have already crossed over to Mizoram. We will provide shelter and relief to those who seek refuge in the state till their return to their country. We have sanctioned money for this purpose, which will be used as per requirement,” he said, adding that his government stands for the integration of all Mizo communities in the world.
Incidentally, the anonymous state home department official told The Mizoram Post that out of 16 Myanmar nationals who have crossed over, 11 have claimed to be from policemen. “Though they possessed Myanmar citizenship identity cards it is hard to verify them if they are police personnel or not,” he said. A woman was among the 11 police personnel and two cops came along with their wives and children, the official added.
The state government is also expecting in an increase in the number of people from Myanmar trying to enter the state as the situation continues to deteriorate. “The state government also sought financial assistance from the Centre to deal with possible refugee crisis,” said the news report.
The Champahai district deputy commissioner claimed that about 125 Myanmar nationals were attempting to cross the international border at Farkawn village, while others have tried other routes.
“The district administration authorities and troopers of Assam Rifles, who are guarding the Indo-Myanmar border, will continue to stop the refugees to enter Mizoram unless there is direction from higher authority to let them in,” she said.