Aizawl: 151 Myanmar soldiers, who fled to Mizoram on Friday after military camps were captured by pro-democracy ethnic groups, were sent back by Myanmar military aircraft on Tuesday. Officials said a Myanmar Air Force plane landed at Lengpui airport on Tuesday afternoon to evacuate the troops.
A senior official said, “A Myanmar Air Force transport plane from Mandalay (Myanmar) landed at Lengpui airport and took 151 Myanmar soldiers to Akyab in two flights. “Before the departure of Myanmar troops, Indian authorities have completed all necessary formalities.” ,
Myanmar troops fled Mizoram’s Longtlai district with their arms and ammunition on Friday and contacted Assam Rifles after their camps near the India-Myanmar border were captured by Arakan Army fighters, according to officials. .
Some of the fleeing Myanmar soldiers were seriously injured in the gun battle and were provided basic medical treatment by the Assam Rifles. These soldiers were in the custody of Assam Rifles in Parwa of Longtlai.
Fierce firing between the Myanmar army and armed militias resumed last week in areas close to the Indian border, leading to a fresh influx of troops into Indian territory.
It is not yet known whether any soldier was killed after the fierce attack by pro-democracy forces.
A total of 104 Myanmar soldiers, including officers, fled to Mizoram in different stages after their camps near the border were captured by pro-democracy armed groups in November.
Many Myanmar soldiers fled to Indian territory in various stages after their camps in Chin State were captured by the Chin National Defense Force, the armed wing of the Chin National Organization since November 13.
They were first airlifted by the Indian Air Force to Moreh in Manipur, from where they were brought back to Tamu, the nearest town on the Myanmar side.
Apart from the soldiers, several thousand Myanmar civilians, including women and children, have taken shelter in Champhai and other districts of Mizoram since last month following the exchange of fire between the Myanmar Army and CNDF cadres.
The district administration has provided food and relief material to the refugees. Necessary medical assistance has also been provided to them.
The first influx from Myanmar occurred in February 2021, when the military regime seized power there. Since then, more than 32,000 people, including women and children, have taken refuge in the northeastern state from Myanmar.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had said last week that about 6,000 people from Myanmar have taken refuge in his state in recent days due to the unrest in the neighboring country. Mizoram and Manipur share 518 km and 398 km long unfenced borders with Myanmar respectively.
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Tags: Mizoram, Myanmar, Myanmar-India border region
FIRST PUBLISHED : January 3, 2024, 12:43 PM IST
