276 Myanmar Soldiers Seeking Refuge In Mizoram Set To Be Repatriated Soon

Officials said on Thursday that the 276 members of the Myanmar Army who fled to Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after their camps were taken over by rebels from the Arakan Army (AA) would be sent back home as soon as possible.

Officials in Aizawl said that on Wednesday afternoon, 276 Myanmar troops carrying weapons and ammunition arrived at Bandukbanga village, which is in the southernmost Lawngtlai district and on the border with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Mizoram.

The Assam Rifles are now taking care of them at their camp in Parva, Lawngtlai district.

The 510-km-long unfenced mountain border between Mizoram and Myanmar has been watched over by the Assam Rifles.

“The necessary formalities are now being carried out, such as collecting biometric information from Myanmar’s military personnel.” The troops were also given the medical help they needed. “The Army men would be sent back to their home country once they got permission from the right higher authorities,” a source said.

Recently, more Myanmarese Army troops arrived in Mizoram. This brings the total number of soldiers who have fled Myanmar and reached India since November 13 to 636.

The troops were first taken by Indian Air Force helicopters to Moreh in Manipur, where they were turned over to the Myanmar Army.

Many Myanmarese troops were flown back home on January 2 and 9. A Myanmar military plane came to Lengpui airport in Aizawl to pick them up.

Nearest border town is Tamu, which is only 4 km to the west, and Imphal, the state capital, is 110 km to the south. Moreh is a major trade hub.

The Myanmar Army, also known as Tatmadaw, and the armed fighters started fighting again in October of last year in areas close to the Indian border. This caused more troops and civilians to enter Indian territory.