When fighting intensifies in Myanmar, villagers cross over to the Indian side and gradually return: Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita
Rana Pratap Kalita, the Eastern Army Commander said that when fighting intensifies in Myanmar villagers cross over to the Indian side and gradually return. Common villages seeking refugees are not stopped.
While talking to media in Gauhati Press Club, Kalita said, “Any instability in our neighbourhood is not in our interest, it impacts us as we share a common border. The problem of Indo-Myanmar gets accentuated by difficult geography and terrain.”
He said, “As people share ethnicity it is a very porous border including the Free movement regime (FMR).
FMR was suspended during the COVID however people have become so used to it. It becomes difficult to identify who are people from our nation and others. Whenever fighting intensifies between the Myanmar army and pro-democracy forces, areas close to border people cross over, some go back and some stay back.”
He added, “There are some limited numbers of people who sought shelter in Manipur and larger numbers in Mizoram.
There is a process which is followed in consultation with the state government and whenever they want to go back they are sent back, but the directions are very clear that no armed cadres are allowed to enter. Identify all these people, record biometric, establish camps, keep them localised. Records are kept ensuring that they are not part of any rebel group.
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