Locals, refugees and simmering strife

Four refugees from Myanmar allegedly killed an auto-rickshaw driver in Mizoram's Siaha district after a monetary dispute.

- Sangzuala Hmar

AIZAWL: On January 24, four refugees from Myanmar allegedly killed an auto-rickshaw driver in Mizoram's Siaha district after a monetary dispute. Three of the accused were arrested. On April 3, a refugee from Myanmar allegedly assaulted a village council vice president in Vengthar.

The two are among several instances that suggest all is not well between local Mizos and Chin refugees from war-torn Myanmar who have made a home in the northeastern state over the past four years. Both share ethnicity, religion, and language—one reason why the state government is sheltering the refugees—but the bonhomie between them is beginning to fray.

"Minor clashes and law-and-order issues allegedly involving refugees have occurred and are indicative of growing unrest against them among locals," said a senior police official, who asked not to be named.

On March 11, social activist VL Thlamuanpuia wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, expressing concern over the escalating influx of Myanmar refugees. He warned of potential threats to national security and demographic balance, and cited mounting pressure on resources.

Since Myanmar's military coup in 2021, over 40,000 Chin refugees have crossed over to Mizoram, according to the state government. Mizoram home minister K Sapdanga on Friday said that the state is currently hosting 41,355 displaced individuals. Of these, 33,505 are refugees from Myanmar, 2,217 from Bangladesh, and 2,633 are internally displaced persons from Manipur. As of now, the refugees account for 3.77% of the state's total population. "We have given refuge to our own," he said, saying nothing was done under duress. This solidarity is, however, beginning to fray. Four regional bodies in Mizoram have issued public notices warning Chin refugees to strictly follow Indian laws or risk expulsion.