Chin Refugees fleeing from Myanmar create security risk in Mizoram border

Centre has to take appropriate steps to stop chaos in North-East

- BY TIRTHANKARMITRA

Mizoram has received a flood of Chin refugees. It is a reminder that India's eastern borders can no longer be left to the whims of foreign instability.

Intense clashes between two armed groups namely People's Defence Forces (PDF) and Chin National Defence Forces (CNDF) in Myanmar have spilled over to the border town of Zokawthar in the state's Champai district. More refugees are expected given the ongoing clashes in the neighbour ing country.

India once again is forced to absorb a neighbour's chaos. In Mizoram the ethnic and cultural bonds with the Chin people run deep leading the fleeing populace from Myanmar being welcomed with open arms.

So far, so good. But sentiments cannot be the sole pillar of state policy. Indian borders are being tested and it is not only by external threats. Internal tension between empathy and national interest is the other factor which needs to be looked upon with caution.