Renewed violence between two Chin armed groups in Myanmar has triggered a large-scale displacement of civilians, with over 3,000 people crossing into India’s Mizoram state over the weekend.
Police in Mizoram’s Champhai district confirmed that at least 2,845 residents from Myanmar's Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar villages - both bordering India - sought refuge in Zokhawthar village since Saturday.
The exodus follows fierce fighting between the Chinland Defence Force-Hualngoram (CDF-Hualngoram) and the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF).
Authorities suspect the actual number of refugees could be even higher, particularly with many children likely uncounted amid the mass movement across the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and the Tiau River. “The number may be higher, as many children may not have been counted due to the large influx of refugees,” said a local police officer on Sunday.
Many of the displaced are staying with relatives in Zokhawthar, while others are being accommodated in a community hall where civil society groups are providing food and other essentials.
Lalmuanpuia Punte, political adviser to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, visited Zokhawthar on Sunday and even crossed into Myanmar to meet with leaders from both factions. He confirmed that the ongoing conflict near Leilet was continuing to push civilians into Mizoram. According to him, many refugees are unwilling to return due to concerns about further violence.
The fighting reportedly began Saturday afternoon in Satawm, Lianhna, and Tuichirh villages, with CNDF forces launching a major assault at around 8:30 a.m. and continuing heavy gunfire until 2:30 p.m. CNDF reportedly overran all eight of the CDF-Hualngoram’s camps, including their primary base in Tuichirh.
A representative of the Hualngoram People’s Organisation (HPO), the political wing of CDF-Hualngoram, said that their forces did not surrender but were overpowered and forced to retreat.
Five injured CDF-Hualngoram fighters were evacuated to Zokhawthar, with one suffering a serious facial gunshot wound and later moved to Champhai District Hospital. Local leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) confirmed that two injured CNDF members also received treatment in the village.
Meanwhile, the body of a CDF-Hualngoram fighter, C. Lalhmuakmawia (37), who was killed in Saturday’s fighting, was handed over by CNDF and brought to Aizawl’s Chanmari West locality for burial. His funeral was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday. He is the second confirmed CDF-Hualngoram casualty since clashes began on July 2, following the death of Lalliandinga.
Tensions remained high as fresh violence was reported on Sunday, with Chin National Army (CNA) forces launching an attack on a CNDF camp near Myanmar’s Leilet village, situated close to Saikhumphai in Mizoram’s southern Champhai district.