India retracts border state’s orders to ‘politely’ turn away people fleeing Myanmar violence

The order directed officials to not set up camps to provide food and shelter for people crossing the border from Myanmar

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard near the bridge on Tiau river along India-Myanmar border in Mizoram on 20 March, 2021 (AP)

The Indian state of Manipur, which borders Myanmar, has withdrawn an order that directed officials to “politely turn away” people fleeing the neighbouring country and seeking refuge in India. 

The state government said its order of 26 March was “misconstrued” and has been withdrawn to avoid misunderstandings. 

“The state government has been taking all humanitarian steps and had recently taken all steps, including taking them (refugees) to Imphal, to treat the injured Myanmar nationals. The state government continues to provide all aid,” said Gyan Prakash, special secretary (home) in the Manipur government. 

In the 26 March letter, Mr Prakash had advised deputy commissioners of five districts that border Myanmar to “politely turn away” those trying to come into India. The letter said that in case of grievous injuries, medical attention may be provided on “humanitarian considerations”. 

The letter also said that there should not be any camps set up to provide food and shelter, and ordered officials to stop enrolling refugees for Aadhaar, India’s biometric ID scheme. 

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Myanmar and India share a 1,643km-long border along four states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The countries have an agreement that allows residents to go up to 16km into the other side and stay up to 14 days without visas. It was suspended last year due to Covid-19.

A government official told the Press Trust of India that over 1,000 people from Myanmar have entered Mizoram since a coup ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power on 1 February. Refugees have also entered Manipur, but an exact number is not available yet. 

The central government and Mizoram state government have been at odds over the treatment of people coming from Myanmar. Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga wrote to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on 18 March, saying that “political refugees” from Myanmar should be given asylum. 

He also said that the home ministry’s advisory for taking action to prevent illegal influx from Myanmar into India and initiating the deportation processes was not acceptable to Mizoram, according to The Hindu. 

A police officer who escaped to Mizoram from Myanmar alleged that police there were told to kill their own family members if they went against the army.

Myanmar was plunged into crisis when the military seized control last month and ousted the democratically elected government, triggering massive protests across the country. More than 500 people have been killed since anti-coup protests erupted.

Thousands have also reportedly fled to neighbouring Thailand after a series of airstrikes by Myanmar’s military, which has been accused of violently cracking down on protesters.