New Relief Camp for Myanmar Refugees in Mizoram
Establishment of a Relief Camp in Vaphai
Aizawl, Jan 4: In Vaphai village, located in the Champhai district near the Myanmar border, efforts are underway to set up a new relief camp for 42 Myanmar refugees currently residing in a local middle school, which is set to reopen on January 7.
According to Rengkhuma, the president of the Vaphai village council, these refugees fled from Hrumhrang village in Myanmar’s Chin state and will be relocated to the new camp once it is completed.
Additionally, plans are in motion to construct another camp for 47 refugees from ‘K’ Haimual village in Falam township, who are presently accommodated in the village community hall.
Currently, Vaphai is hosting a total of 89 refugees from Chin state. This recent influx began on November 28, when they crossed into the Saikhumphai hamlet along the Tiau river at the India-Myanmar border, and were moved to Vaphai village two days later.
The group from Hrumhrang entered Mizoram in mid-December and were initially housed in the school as the community hall was already occupied.
Due to a lack of financial support from the State Government, local villagers are providing assistance to the refugees, coordinated by the Khawbung Block Development Officer. Personnel from the Assam Rifles stationed in Vaphai have also contributed by supplying essential items such as rice, cooking oil, lentils, sugar, and milk.
The refugees reported fleeing their homes due to aerial assaults by Myanmar military aircraft, including jet fighters, gyrocopters, and drones, followed by ground attacks that resulted in the destruction of homes and the loss of livestock.
They further claimed that the intensified military operations in Chin state coincided with the junta's announcement of elections, with polling taking place in Tedim and Hakha townships on December 28, and a second phase scheduled for January 11 in Falam, Tonzang, and Thantlang. According to the refugees, these attacks were intended to intimidate civilians into participating in the elections and to reclaim military installations previously held by Chin resistance groups.