Myanmar refugees miss home, reveal ordeal of violent crisis
1637 taking shelter at Kamjong dist
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, December 06 2023: Even as the situation in Myanmar remains unpredictable and alarming, refugees from the neighbouring country taking refuge in Manipur have expressed their desire to return home and re-unite with their families.

They also expressed their apprehension and ordeals in their country amidst the intense fight between the military junta and ethnic rebel groups.

According to villagers from Aungiya in Myanmar, they left their village after Thanan in Myanmar was bombed on November 22 .

Subsequently, Aungiya was also attacked and the frequent cross firing in the region became unsafe for them to stay in Myanmar, they added.

Myanmar refugees miss home, reveal ordeal of violent crisis

The refugees also conveyed that they often see drones flying over their areas and hear gunshots between rival parties.

Over 250 persons including children from Aungiya are taking shelter at the relief camps established on Indian soil.

A woman from Thanan village in Myanmar said that most of the houses at their village were destroyed and ransacked routinely by both armed groups and it still is unsafe for them to return home.

She said that they, however, secretly go to their paddy fields during daytime for agricultural work.

Reportedly, the ethnic rebels groups are heading toward the sub-township of Myanmar's Myothit.

Myothit, which is about 8 km from Choro village of Kamjong district, is a stronghold of the Myanmar military based in the border region of Myanmar and India.

Most of the Myanmar Nationals staying at the relief camps are Shan people and Kukis from nearby villages of Aungiya, Thanan, Nangmo, Zeti, Pheilen etc.

Meanwhile, the Kamjong district administration has captured the biometrics of 1592 Myanmar Nationals taking refuge in the district till yesterday.

According to credible sources, altogether 1637 Myanmar Nationals are currently taking refuge at Humin Thana, Phaikoh Namlee, Wanglee and Kaka villages situated along the border areas of Kamjong district.

Assam Rifles also assisted in taking biometrics of the Myanmar Nationals while Phungyar AC MLA Leishiyo Keishing supervised the whole exercise.

All the Kukis from Myanmar are being lodged at Phaikoh Village separately after identification, said the sources.

The figures of inmates taking refuge in Kamjong are 623 each at Huimin Thana and Phaikoh, 120 at Namlee, 135 at Wanglee and 200 at Kaka.

The inmates are being taken care of by district administrations and local civil society organisations (CSOs) .