People Including Security Personnel From Military Coup Hit Myanmar Cross Into India For Refuge

Many people including some security personnel have crossed to India seeking refuge from military coup-hit Myanmar.

Border residents in Champhai and Serchhip districts of Mizoram claimed at least 50 people from Myanmar have crossed over since 3 March.

“We cannot confirm right now whether or not they are policemen. Three people crossed over on Wednesday (3 March). They have been put up at a community hall in Lungkawlh village after the mandatory COVID-19 tests,” Serchhip’s Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek told The Hindu.

“So far, none has applied to us seeking political sanctuary or political asylum. If at all there is a request, we will take a decision. It has to be ratified by the Centre since the issue concerns two countries,” Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana said.

On 1 February, Myanmar's military, also known as the Tatmadaw, staged a bloodless coup d’etat which brought the country’s recent and limited experiment with democracy to an end.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the government in the Southeast Asian country, has been detained by the military, along with President Win Myint, and a one-year state of emergency was declared.

Experts say that the real motivation behind the military’s action is Suu Kyi’s popularity and growing power, which it believes could erode its control over critical policy domains.

But the rising protests, and condemnations from across the world, has not fazed the military top brass. The Tatmadaw is, instead, putting in place measures and mechanisms to perpetuate its rule.