After the Myanmar army conducted an airstrike in the bordering areas of Myanmar, the situation remains tense. However, there are no reports of new violent incidents along the Indo-Myanmar border. As per the residents of Zokhawthar area in Mizoram's Champhai district, the last border village on the Indian side, the current situation is reported to be peaceful.

After the Myanmar army conducted an airstrike, approximately 5000 Myanmar nationals crossed the international border and sought refuge in the Zokhawthar area. Subsequently, a significant number of them have returned to their home country.

In reference to the present conditions along the Indo-Myanmar border area, Rama, a resident of the Zokhawthar area, reported that the border situation is currently peaceful.

"It's unpredictable; sometimes it's peaceful and within a minute you don't know what will happen. Right now the situation is peaceful, but it was not good till the day before yesterday," Rama said.

Indian security personnel are actively monitoring the movements of citizens from both India and Myanmar on the Tiau River Bridge. This bridge serves as a crucial link, connecting Zokhawthar in Mizoram's Champhai district to the Chin State of Myanmar.

Zothangliana, a local youth from the Zokhawthar area who observed the recent airstrike conducted by the Myanmar army, reported that on that particular day, the situation was distressing. Alongside fellow residents of Zokhawthar, he witnessed the bombing carried out by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas of Myanmar.

"On November 13, not only during the morning but also at night, they were continuously bombing. In the morning, around four, they started continuously firing and bombing. It's a big problem for us. It's very horrible for us. Afterward, refugees started coming, and we helped them," Zothangliana, a local youth of the Zokhawthar area, said.

The refugees express satisfaction with the support and assistance offered by the Mizoram Government and local NGOs. 25-year-old Khiannunpar, a resident of Chin state of Myanmar who is now living along with her family in a refugee camp in the Zokhawthar area says, "I am now nine months pregnant...Earlier, I visited a local health Sub-Centre for my health checkup and the administration has provided me medicines. Doctors and nurses also visited to inquire about our health. We also get ration. We are so happy with the Mizoram government's work. They are supporting us."

Myanmar refugee from the Bethel refugee camp, Vanlalruata says, "We came here in September 2021 as refugees. As of now, there are eight pregnant women in this camp...The Mizoram government and NGOs are supporting and helping us. They have provided us with medicines. The government is trying its best to mitigate our problems. We are thankful to the Mizoram government."

James Lalrinchhana, Deputy Commissioner of Keifangtlang in Champhai District, stated that the government has supplied tents and other amenities to the refugees. "From our office, we sent magistrates and officers from Disaster Management. They immediately assessed the situation and with the help of NGOs, they arranged food immediately required by people. Apart from that, they also require shelter...We sheltered them in community halls, schools" the Deputy Commissioner told ANI.

Image source: The Economic Times