Despite the rising economic pressure, Mizoram has provided refuge to the Kuki-Chin refugees coming from Bangladesh or Myanmar. The state has ensured that the 310 Kuki-Chin refugees, who have escaped from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT), reached places with all basic amenities in 4 villages, for their security. Last month, armed clashes broke out between the Bangladesh army and the underground organization, Kuki-chin National Army (KNA). The KNA has been demanding sovereignty for the Chin-Kuki people living in Rangamati and Bandarban.
As per the refugees, the Bangladeshi army, along with Myanmar’s Arakan army, after the clashes erupted, raided many villages and started suppressing people. Many tribals were attacked, caught, and were tortured. Many were killed as well. As per an officer of the Lawngtlai district of Mizoram, these tribals are being given refuge at the community halls and schools which are on the Bangladesh and Myanmar borders. Local church organizations are also looking after the facilities of living and food.
The refugees have stated that in Bangladesh, they were stopped even from going to one village from another, the local Muslims boycotted them socially, and when they go to the markets in order to sell their agricultural produce, the people refuse to buy it.
