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Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Myanmar refugees in Mizoram begin to return after withdrawal of CNDF forces
The refugees from Myanmar sheltered in Mizoram have started returning to their villages following the withdrawal of the Chinland National Defence Force (CNDF) from Zokhawthar and Rihkhawdar in the conflict-hit nation, officials said on Sunday. Over 5,000 Myanmar refugees had fled to India since early July with reports of some of them dying during the trek. (Representational image / AP Photo) Over 2,500 refugees from Zokhawthar, Rihkhawdar, and nearby areas have returned to their country over the weekend, they said. An intense fight for control of areas by the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) – two factions of the rebel forces that are fighting the Myanmar military junta– since early July had led to over 5,000 refugees fleeing to India with reports of some of them dying during the trek. Saiawia, the officer on duty at Zokhawthar police station in Mizoram's Champhai district said, 'Most of the refugees have left for Khawmawi, and we expect the remaining people taking shelter at the Zokhawthar border trade centre and another 850 staying in Saikhumphai, Vaphai, and Farkawn to return once the situation stabilises.' Ngurchhawna, vice president of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) in Zokhawthar, said that nearly all refugees housed in makeshift shelters—such as church halls and community centres—had been repatriated. 'As of our latest count, a majority of those who fled to Zokhawthar have gone back to Khawmawi. Only a few remain, mostly those staying with relatives,' he told reporters. The Zokhawthar unit of the YMA has been working in coordination with the Assam Rifles and local police to assist in the repatriation process and verify the numbers. The CNDF, the armed wing of the Chin National Organisation (CNO), had taken control of several villages in Myanmar early July amid escalating tensions with the rival Chin forces. Khawmawi, a strategic border town has been for long contested by CNDF and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF)-Hualngoram—both composed of fighters from the broader Zo ethnic community. On June 5, CNDF fighters launched a major offensive, reportedly capturing eight CDF camps and forcing their rivals out of Khawmawi, leading to a massive exodus of civilians into Mizoram. 'No formal ceasefire has been agreed upon,' said Jacob V. Zawma, spokesperson and political affairs secretary of the Hualngoram People's Organisation, the political wing of the Chinland Defence Force (Hualngoram). Zawma said the withdrawal came after mounting pressure from the Chin National Front (CNF) and its armed wing, the Chin National Army (CNA)—a close ally of the CDF and a dominant force in the Chinland Council. 'All Chin ethnic armed groups held an online meeting last Thursday, CNDF came under heavy pressure from fellow Chin factions to vacate Zokhawthar and Rihkhawdar. I believe they had no choice but to leave, especially when even their allies urged them to,' he added. 'Our men didn't surrender. They left to avoid civilian casualties. Once the civilians fled, we urged CNDF leaders to withdraw to avoid further escalation. Fortunately, they listened,' he said. However, Zawma accused CNDF cadres of looting homes and businesses in Zokhawthar before their retreat. 'We've received numerous reports of theft and vandalism. About 30 motorcycles are missing, and returning villagers say cash, gold, and other valuables were stolen. Our teams are assessing the full extent of the damage,' he added. The conflict reflects deeper fractures within the Chin resistance movement. Since Myanmar's 2021 military coup, ethnic armed groups in Chin State had initially united under two main coalitions—the Chin Brotherhood (CB) and the Chinland Council (CC)—to resist the junta. However, internal rivalries and disputes over territorial control have led to violent clashes between the two alliances. The CNDF is aligned with the Chin Brotherhood, while the CDF-Hualngoram and CNA are affiliated with the Chinland Council. In February this year, a fragile truce was brokered between the two camps during a peace dialogue held in Mizoram under the leadership of chief minister Lalduhoma. But by July, the ceasefire had all but collapsed. On July 5, CNDF fighters seized Rihkhawdar from CDF-Hualngoram forces. In retaliation, the CNA launched a counter-offensive, successfully capturing CNDF's headquarters at Camp Rihli.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mizoram border on high alert as fighting in Myanmar intensifies
The Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram's entire Eastern frontier is on high alert as fighting between rebel groups across the border has intensified, people aware of the matter said. Over the last three years, after the 2021 military coup, over 30,000 Myanmar nationals have entered Mizoram. (Representational image) This has led to at least 5,900 refugees fleeing to India with reports of some of them dying during the trek and some getting injured, who are being treated at hospitals in Mizoram. The Chin National Army and Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) – two factions of the rebel forces that are fighting the Myanmar military junta- are engaged in an intense fight for control of areas in Myanmar just across the border. Officials in Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police said that during one such gunfight, bullets and shelling spilled across to the Indian side in the border town of Zokhawthar in Champhai district. The residents of several villages in other towns across Eastern Mizoram have seen gunfight and grenade attacks happen right in front of them across the porous border. The most intense gunfight, lasting several hours, was reported on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. 'On Saturday, the fighting had started in the Myanmar areas of Rikhawdar, Satawm, and Khawmawi. Over the last two days, the fighting has spread to other parts of Myanmar such as Leilet and Tedim. These too are areas that share a border with Mizoram. There were hours of intense gunfight (small firearms), mortar fire, and grenade attacks. Some of the people injured in the gunfight were also brought to Mizoram state government's district hospital in Champhai,' said one officer, who asked not to be named. At least one refugee, officials said, also died on Sunday while trying to cross the Tiao river, which serves as the border between the two countries. 'We have reports of one Mizoram national also who died in the gunfight earlier this week and three other no-verified cases of drowning,' an official from the home department said. HT tried to contact Champhai's district magistrate and superintendent of police for a response but the two officials were not available for any comments. Over the last three years, after the 2021 military coup, over 30,000 Myanmar nationals have entered Mizoram. But most government agencies working on the ground say that the actual figure could be two or three times the official data Confirming the fresh influx of nearly 6,000 refugees in the last one week, Malsawmliana, general secretary of the Central Young Mizo Association, said, 'Central YMA has extended aid to the refugees displaced by the ongoing misunderstanding and disunity among the Zo ethnic groups in Chin state of Myanmar. ₹3 lakh has been sanctioned to YMA Zokhawthar branch to procure food, while another ₹2 lakh has been sent to Vaphai branch.' YMA is one of Mizoram's most influential civil society organisations, which has been taking care of the refugees since the military coup in Myanmar. Security agencies believe the large influx of refugees could be a potential internal security problem in the coming years. Though there are checkpoint and integrated check posts at different points along the Indo-Myanmar border, through which nationals of both India and Myanmar (living within 10km in border areas) can enter and stay temporarily after submitting specific documents, the refugees are entering through other points along the porous border - most common being the shallow parts of the Tiao river. The Centre has started work to build a border fence along the India-Myanmar border to stop the infiltration. But this is a project, which could take years.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Over 5kg of heroin seized from school near Mizoram border
Aizawl: Hualngoram police seized 427 hawngs (packet), containing around 5kg and 200 grams of heroin, from a school classroom in Khawmawi village located at Chin state of Myanmar near the Mizoram border on Thursday, Hualngoram People's Organisation (HPO) leader Pu Hminga said on Friday. Hualngoram police is a part of HPO, a civil administration governing some areas adjacent to Mizoram's Champhai district, which have been liberated by combined forces of the Chin National Army (CNA) and the Chin Defence Force (CDF)-Hualngoram from Myanmar army rule. Hminga told TOI over phone from Khawmawi village that the contraband, suspected to be trafficked to Mizoram, was seized from TPCE nursery school, a private institution owned and run by Ngun Sui Thang (37). Thang is known to be a member of education board of the Chin National Organisation (CNO) and its armed wing Chin National Defence Force (CNDF). "As Thang had already absconded when the school was searched, his wife Tuan Kim Thiam (35) was arrested. Hualngoram police launch a manhunt to find Thang and seek the help of Young Mizo Association (YMA), the largest civil society in Mizoram, and the Mizoram Police for his arrest," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Intense clashes between two rebel groups reported near India-Myanmar border
A fierce battle has broken out between the Chin National Army (CNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), resulting in the loss of many lives among the fighters, near India-Myanmar border . The armed clash began in the early hours of April 22, 2025, and is taking place across the border from Hnathial district in Mizoram , within Myanmar territory. Sources said that the situation remains tense, with heavy fighting continuing in the region. However, there have been no confirmed reports of any involvement or presence of the Chinese military so far. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by The conflict has raised concerns among residents in the border areas, and authorities are closely monitoring the developments. Further updates are awaited as the situation unfolds, sources said.
