More Chin refugees trickle into Mizoram

Aizawl: A fresh influx of refugees from Myanmar’s Chin state has been reported in southern Champhai district, with 42 people taking shelter in Saikhumphai hamlet along the India-Myanmar border, a local Young Mizo Association (YMA) leader in Saikhumphai said Tuesday.Saikhumphai hamlet, under Vaphai village council, lies on the banks of the Tiau river and is within walking distance of Myanmar’s Leilet village.The YMA leader told TOI over phone that the first batch of 27 refugees entered Saikhumphai from May 2 from Khawpuichhip, Satawm and Saek villages in Falam township after Myanmar warplanes carried out airstrikes on Khawpuichhip and Saek. “The airstrike on Khawpuichhip village on May 1 killed 7 innocent civilians, 6 of them children including a 5 month-old infant. Three children including the infant are the sons of Lalnunfela (29) who was the lone adult victim.”He said 15 people from five families from Tlauhmun village near Falam city arrived in two batches on Monday and Tuesday and are likely to be relocated to Vaphai village. The latest arrivals brought family belongings and intend to stay in Mizoram for some time, while the earlier group of 27 said they would return “as soon as possible,” he said.The latest exodus from Tlauhmun was triggered by intensified fighting between Myanmar junta troops and Chin Brotherhood militias, despite the Myanmar army recapturing Falam town on April 25 after it had been held by Chin armed groups for about a year. Along with resistance allies, the Chin Brotherhood captured the city on April 8, 2025.Falam, a hill town in Chin state, is the only township in the state with an airport and hosts state and district offices, though the Chin state capital was moved to Hakha.