Myanmar citizens flee to India to escape violence
Myanmar nationals have been fleeing the country amid violence against civilians in the aftermath of a military coup. Many who live close to the border are seeking refuge in India. While it was on her third attempt that Makhai finally made it to India. She used a dirt track through the forest to cross. Others have come via an underground storm drain that connects villages on both sides of the border.
Unlike the previous two attempts, this time India’s security forces didn’t stop her. The 42-year-old, whose name is changing to protect her identity, fled her home in Myanmar, in the border district of Tamu, earlier this month, along with her sisters and her daughter. They crossed into the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur. While it was the only thing they could do to save themselves, Makhai said.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is in the grip of violence. In February, the country’s military overthrew the democratically elected government and detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In the weeks since it has crushed protests against the coup.
Moreover, rights groups say the military has killed more than 600 people, including 43 children. Makhai says soldiers have been breaking into houses and raping and killing civilians. Witnesses have recounted stories of people being killed in the streets and even in their homes – including a six-year-old who was allegedly shot dead during a home raid as she ran to her father?
The Border between India and Myanmar:
Army spokesman Brig Gen Zaw Min Tun said in a recent interview that the army would never have shot a child inside their home and if it did happen, they would investigate the incident.
However, reports of such atrocities by the security forces are widespread and have sparked an international outcry. Ever since the violence began, we are scaring to live in our homes, Makhai said. We have spent so many nights hiding in the forest.
On the other side, the Manipur government recently told officials in border districts to “politely turn away” refugees from Myanmar and then retracted the order after a public backlash. In a second order, the state government said it was taking all humanitarian steps, including treating injured refugees from Myanmar.
Moreover, unauthorized immigration is a politically charging issue in India. Especially now as regional elections are underway in West Bengal and Assam two states that have historically seen a huge influx of refugees. For years, India and Myanmar had a Free Movement Regime in place which allowed local people on each side to travel up to 16km on the other side and remain there for a maximum of 14days.
While it’s difficult to come to India. Often, Indian security forces stop us but we manage to sneak in, said a trader who comes to Moreh every day to supply milk to some 20 households. Everything is closing back home-there is firing and exploding bombs. The anti-coup protests in Myanmar have led to large numbers of the armed forces being moved to other areas, leaving borderless protection.
