In response to escalating clashes
between the Myanmar Army and an ethnic armed group, 184 Myanmarese soldiers who
sought refuge in Mizoram have been flown back to their country. A Myanmar Air
Force aircraft landed at Lengpui airport, completing the repatriation in two
sorties on Monday.
Indian officials stated that all
necessary formalities were completed before the soldiers’ departure, with the
remaining 92 expected to be airlifted on Tuesday. The repatriation follows
concerns raised by the Mizoram Government, prompting the Centre to take action.
Last week, hundreds of Myanmar Army
soldiers sought shelter in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after their camps were
attacked in the Rakhine province. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma addressed
the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a Northeastern Council
meeting on January 20, urging the prompt repatriation of the Myanmar soldiers.
Amidst the ongoing conflict and
increasing displacement of Myanmarese individuals, Bharat has announced plans
to fence the entire Bharat-Myanmar border, aiming to control the movement of
people.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned
reconsidering the Free Movement Regime or FMR agreement with Myanmar, signalling
a potential end to the ease of cross-border movement.
The Bharat-Myanmar border, stretching
1,643 km, is currently unfenced, and the decision to fortify it comes as part
of Bharat’s strategy to address security concerns arising from the turmoil in
Myanmar.
