416 Myanmarese military personnel entered India, keeping close watch: Army Chief
Myanmar's armed ethnic groups and the government forces, said Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Thursday, adding the Indian military is «closely watching» the unfolding developments. At a press conference ahead of the Army Day, General Pande described the situation near the Indo-Myanmar border as «concerning» and some of the insurgent groups are feeling the pressure in the frontier region of that country and are attempting to enter Manipur.
«The situation across the Indo-Myanmar border is something that we are closely watching,» he said.
The officials said all 416 Myanmarese military personnel have already been repatriated.
The anti-junta groups have reportedly taken control of several key towns, military bases near Myanmar's border with India and the volatile situation has forced scores of Myanmarese citizens to take refuge in Mizoram.
«That (situation along the Indo-Myanmar border) has been of concern to us.
You are aware of the activities of the Myanmar Army and the ethnic armed organisations and the PDF (People's Defence Forces) in the past couple of months,» he said.
The army chief said the situation has about 416 Myanmarese Army personnel crossing over to India till date besides some civilians from that country taking shelter in Mizoram and Manipur.
«The situation across the Indo-Myanmar border is of concern as we also have some of the insurgent groups, who are feeling the pressure and are now attempting to come to our side of the border in the state of Manipur,» General Pande said.
«That combined with the situation in Manipur is something we are keeping a close watch on,» he added.
The army chief said India is also considering strengthening fencing along the border with Myanmar.
«We have strengthened our
