Four Myanmar Nationals, Including CNDF Militants, Drown In Tiau River While Fleeing to Mizoram

Four Myanmar nationals, including three cadres of the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), drowned in the Tiau River along the Mizoram-Myanmar border while attempting to flee into India after a rebel camp was attacked, Assam Tribune reported.

According to leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) in Vaphai village, three CNDF members drowned on Sunday night (6 July) and another on Monday morning (7 July) while trying to cross into Saikhumphai hamlet in Mizoram’s Champhai district. 

The YMA has launched a search operation with volunteers from Vaphai, Farkawn, and nearby villages.

The drownings followed an assault on the CNDF's Camp Rihli in Myanmar by the Chin National Army (CNA), which led to the camp being set ablaze. CNDF fighters, reportedly dressed in civilian clothing, fled towards Mizoram. 

The CNA’s attack was seen as retaliation for the CNDF’s capture of eight camps belonging to CNA’s ally, the Chinland Defence Force (CDF)-Hualngoram.

The violence, which began on 3 July, has triggered a fresh refugee influx into Mizoram. Nearly 4,000 people from Myanmar’s Chin state have crossed into Champhai district. 

Over 3,000 have taken shelter at the Zokhawthar border trade centre, while around 800 are now in Vaphai and Saikhumphai. Among the refugees are more than 30 CNDF members, YMA leaders said as reported by Assam Tribune.

Two CDF-Hualngoram fighters were killed in the clashes, and five others injured, one critically, have been treated in Zokhawthar and Champhai Hospital. Two injured CNDF fighters also received medical care.

The Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO) has voiced concern, warning that continued infighting among Mizo groups in Chin state could hamper the broader democratic movement. ZORO has called for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful dialogue between factions.

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