Sixty-five members of the Bawm tribe, hailing from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, crossed the border into Mizoram on Sunday.
The group, which includes 24 men, 17 women, and 14 children, reportedly fled clashes between the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki Chin National Army.
Seeking sanctuary, they arrived in Vathuampui village, Lawngtlai district, where compassionate locals offered them food and shelter.
Sources revealed that several within the group are unwell, having endured a difficult journey through dense forest.
The district administration is presently assessing the situation to determine the most appropriate course of action.
This influx adds to the recent arrival of displaced Myanmar nationals seeking refuge in Mizoram.
Why are the Bawns fleeing Bangladesh?
Owing to significant ruckus and violence in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, the community is on the move, seeking safety across the border in India.
Distinct from the majority Muslim population in Bangladesh, the Bawns themselves caught in the crossfire between the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki Chin National Army (KNA), an ethnic insurgent group.
The Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO), which champions the unity of all ethnic Mizo or Zo tribes, reveals a murky alliance.
The Bangladesh Army's Rapid Action Battalion and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence are reportedly collaborating with the Myanmar-based Arakan Army to jointly attack the KNA.
The conflict's roots
The KNA and its political wing, the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), demand a separate state and better living conditions for the Kuki Chins in Bangladesh.
The Arakan Army, fighting for an independent Rakhine State in Myanmar, has intensified the conflict, further jeopardising the safety of tribes residing in the region.
Who are the Kuki Chins and Bawms?
The Kuki Chins are part of the Zo ethnic group, which includes the Chins of Myanmar, the Mizos of Mizoram, and the Kukis of Bangladesh. These communities share a rich cultural and ancestral heritage.
The Kuki Chins inhabit the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a rugged and remote area in southeastern Bangladesh, bordered by Myanmar, Tripura, Mizoram, and the Chittagong district.
On the other hand, the Bom, Bawm, or Bawmzo are an ethnic community also residing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, the Bawm population in Bangladesh is 13,193. In 2004, around 10,000 Bawm were living in India, with an additional 2,500 in Myanmar. They speak the Sino-Tibetan Bawm language.
The Bawm have been victims of the Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict, targeted by both the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki-Chin National Front. This ongoing conflict has led to significant hardship and displacement for the Bawm community.
The journey to Mizoram
Fleeing violence, the Kuki Chins have embarked on a treacherous journey through dense forests to reach Mizoram.
Since 2021, around 30,000 Kuki Chin refugees from Myanmar have already sought shelter in Mizoram, escaping the brutal crackdown by Myanmar's military junta.
Now, their kin from Bangladesh are following suit.
Humanitarian response
Both the Indian and Mizoram governments are stepping up to address the refugee crisis.
India has pledged to provide humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, and medical care.
On November 22, 2022, the Mizoram Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, decided to offer temporary aid to the new arrivals.
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