Myanmar refugees likely to increase in border villages : Kamjong DC
Over 1000 refugees taking shelter
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, November 28 2023: Over 1,000 Myanmar refugees are already taking shelter in the relief camps set up at Phaikoh, Kheronram (Huimin Thana), Namli, Wangli and Ashang Khullen under Kamjong district and the number is likely to increase in the next couple of days, said Raang Peter, Deputy Commissioner of Kamjong.

The Deputy Commissioner stated that the Myanmar military Junta is conducting regular aerial bombing in the Myanmar border villages to flush out the ethnic rebel groups operating in the region and this has triggered mass influx of Myanmar Nationals into Manipur seeking refuge.

The regular aerial bombing on the villages on the Myanmar side of the border has compelled many Myanmar villagers to flee and take refuge in the nearby Indian villages, he said.

After the Thanan and Monjang Momo villages of Myanmar were bombed on November 22, there has been an increase in the number of Myanmar Nationals crossing the border and taking shelter in Phaikoh and Huimin Thana in Kamjong district.

Deputy Commissioner Raang Peter along with SP, SDOs, medical team and Assam Rifles rushed to the border village Phaikoh on November 23 to take stock of the ground situation.

Myanmar military Junta has cracked down on rebel groups in the neighbouring Myanmar villages near Border Pillar No 102 .

Raang Peter said more than 460 Myanmar fled to the Indian side in a single day when the aerial bombing first began.

Over 1,000 refugees are now taking shelter in relief camps of Phaikoh, Huimin Thana under Kamjong block and also in Kasom block villages of Namli, Wangli and Ashang Khullen.

Majority of the Myanmar refugees belong to Shan, Kabaw and Kuki from the neighbouring villages, he said.

ADM HL Jain is supervising and monitoring Kasom, he said.

He stated that many Myanmar refugees are still hiding in the forest and they are expected to come to the Indian side in the next couple of days for safety and security.

The number of refugees from Myanmar may increase in the next couple of days, he said.

Biometrics and photographs of as many as 487 Myanmar refugees have been recorded and documented at the relief camp of Phaikoh and Huimin Thana, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Recording biometrics is taking time due to lack of interpreters who know Myanmar, Manipuri, Kuki and English languages.

Biometrics of all refugees will be captured, said Rang Peter.

The district administration is taking up all efforts to provide best humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar Nationals, he said.

All essential commodities including rice, dal, potatoes, water are being provided sufficiently.

Electrification of the camps, setting up of tarpaulin, and toilets are being constructed as per the requirements of the refugees.

Regular health check ups are being conducted by doctors of Kamjong District Hospital.

The Myanmar refugees at Phaikoh camp said they fled Myanmar after Junta forces intensified aerial bombing to flush out ethnic rebel groups.

Phaikoh Village secretary T Baolene said most Myanmar refugees are from Aungiya, Skipe, Phailand, Monjang Momo and surrounding villages in and around Border Pillar No 102 .

Some of them are from the Myothik sub-township of Burma.

He stated that they saw Burmese Armies moving in the Aungiya village not so far from Phaikoh.

Three Myanmar fighter jets reportedly dropped bombs yesterday on Thanan village while helicopters regularly hover in the sky dropping weapons and ammunition, said Baolene.

The villagers mentioned that they heard sounds of bomb blasts in the Monjang Momo village.

Meanwhile, Church secretary T Lelen expressed that the sudden increase of refugees in the village has become a concern.

Crops have failed this year due to deficient rainfall.

The village will not be able to generously feed the refugees, he said.

Phaikoh village has more than 60 households, and is located more than 190 kilometres from Imphal.

Lelen said the village depends on trade in Myanmar for sustenance.

Bringing peace through dialogue will reduce human casualties and suffering, he said.

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