4K Chins Flee to Mizoram After Clashes in Myanmar

NEARLY 4,000 people from the Chin community in Myanmar fled to Mizoram's Champhai district in the wake of a fierce gunfight between two ethnic armed groups.

- PRASANTA MAZUMDAR @ Guwahati

The refugees arrived in the Zokhawthar and Vaphai villages through a border bridge after crossing the Tiau river that separates the two countries in that area. While most of them are taking shelter in their relatives' houses, others are lodged in schools and community halls. Chins, Mizos, Kukis, Zomis, Hmars, and Kuki-Chins (Bangladesh) are ethnic cousins, belonging to the Zo community. Most Chins and Mizos living in places near the Myanmar border have their relatives on each other's side.