The influx began on July 3 and peaked on July 5 as thousands fled gun battles in Myanmar’s Chin State, especially from the towns of Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar.
BY PC Bureau
July 7, 2025 — Since Thursday, July 3, over 3,300 people from Myanmar’s Chin State have fled to Zokhawthar village in Mizoram’s Champhai district following intense clashes between two Chin ethnic armed groups—the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) of the Hualngoram area.
The refugees, mostly from the border villages of Khawmawi, Rihkhawdar, and Lianhna, sought shelter after fierce gun battles erupted, especially during a major escalation on Saturday, July 5. By Sunday, an additional 300 people had crossed into India. According to an official, firing ceased by Saturday evening, and the situation along the Indo-Myanmar border has since stabilized.
Zokhawthar, separated from Khawmawi by the Tiau River, serves as a key commercial and transit point between India and Myanmar. Though the Assam Rifles have sealed the border to prevent further conflict, they have allowed refugees to cross into Indian territory. Mizoram is now home to over 32,000 refugees from Myanmar.
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The CNDF and CDF, both belonging to the Zo ethnic group, are reportedly vying for control over Khawmawi. The CDF-Hualngoram operates under the Chinland Council (CC), while the CNDF is aligned with the Chin National Organisation (CNO), part of the Chin Brotherhood (CB) and guided by the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC).
Around 4,000 Myanmar refugees have crossed into Mizoram following clashes between two anti-junta armed groups in Myanmar : Modi Govt
The influx began on July 2 when fighting broke out between the rival factions.
Indian authorities are providing humanitarian assistance to the… pic.twitter.com/aRAT8d9BXn
— Shantanu – Rising India (@shantanuvaibhav) July 7, 2025
Tragically, a CNDF cadre was killed in Saturday’s clashes. His body was brought to relatives in Aizawl, while four injured fighters were taken to hospitals in Mizoram. A refugee from Tahan town drowned in the Tiau River while fleeing; the body remains missing.
Ceasefire and Peace Efforts
In a significant development, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA)—Mizoram’s largest civil society body—successfully mediated between the Hualngoram People’s Organisation (HPO) and the CNO on Saturday evening. Both organizations agreed to a ceasefire and to resolve their dispute amicably.
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As of July 7, no further violence has been reported, and local groups are working to sustain peace. However, concerns remain about regional stability and the humanitarian fallout, with community leaders urging swift, long-term solutions to prevent further displacement.
