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Time of India

Chin militia conflict sparks mass exodus into Mizoram

1 2 3 4 5 6 Aizawl: Over 4,400 Chin refugees have crossed into Mizoram's Champhai district since July 2, following intensified armed conflict between Chin militia groups in Myanmar's Chin state, police officials said. Champhai's Zokhawthar village alone has sheltered 3,684 refugees from Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar, while 744 refugees from Leilet, Singai, Selawn, and Satawm villages have taken refuge in Saikhumphai, Vaphai, and Farkawn villages under the East Tuipui Assembly constituency. Village leaders in Vaphai village estimate the actual number of refugees could exceed 800, citing continued gunbattles between the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) since Sunday. Despite the CNA having torched CNDF's Camp Rihli near Leilet, fighting continued through Tuesday evening. Locals report reinforcements for both sides — CNDF from Khawmawi and CNA from Camp Victoria, the military headquarters of the Chin National Front (CNF), opposite Farkawn. "We dare not enter our farmland near the Tiau river as bullets continue flying across the border," said Lawma, head of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) in Saikhumphai. YMA volunteers have also suspended search efforts for four CNDF cadres who drowned in the swollen river while attempting to flee. Meanwhile, the body of a wood carpenter who drowned near Zokhawthar during crossfire between CNDF and Chinland Defence Force (CDF)-Hualngoram on Saturday remains missing despite local efforts. Gunbattles between CNDF and CDF-Hualngoram erupted on July 2 and ended Saturday evening with CNDF capturing all eight CDF-Hualngoram camps. Two CDF-Hualngoram cadres were killed, five injured, while two CNDF fighters sustained injuries. The wounded were moved to Zokhawthar for treatment, with one referred to Champhai district hospital.