AIZAWL, Jan 9: Around
1,440 Myanmar nationals who
took shelter in Mizoram following
a clash between militants
and the Army there in November
last year, have refused to
return, officials said today.
At least 1,600 Myanmarese
people from several villages in
Chin state had taken refuge in
Lawngtlai district of Mizoram
since November 25.
Assam Rifles sources said the
force had tried to repatriate the
refugees after the Myanmar
Army officials said they had busted
AA hideouts in Chin state and
took control of the area.
“While a few refugees had
returned, 1,440 people comprising
998 adults including
773 women and 442 minors
refused to return to their
homes,” the sources said.
Some of them were afraid to
go back apprehending that violent
confrontation may erupt anytime between government forces
and the Arakan Army (AA)
militants, while many preferred
to settle down in the state.
Officials said some of the refugees
even tried to construct
houses but the district administration
stopped them and sent
them back to the relief camps.
The refugees from Chin
state entered Mizoram after
the Myanmar Army launched
a crackdown on the AA militants
fighting for freedom of the
neighbouring Rakhine state.
The Myanmarese refugees
belonging mainly to Zakhai and
Khumi tribes are staying at
camps in Zochachhuah, Dumzautlang
and Hmawngbuchhuah
villages.
A senior police official said people
of the villages were having
problems as they were outnumbered
by the refugees in their
own villages, though many of
them were their relatives. – PTI
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