A fresh wave of conflict in Myanmar’s restive Chin State has triggered the exodus of over 3,000 civilians into Mizoram, with India’s Zokhawthar village bearing the brunt of the refugee influx.
The fighting, which erupted last Thursday, has pitted two Chin ethnic armed groups, the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and Chinland Defence Force-Hualngoram (CDF), against each other in the rugged hills near Myanmar’s Falam district. Zokhawthar, located in Mizoram’s Champhai district, lies directly across the Tiau River from the conflict zone.
Intelligence sources said the clashes have been fiercest around Rikhawdar, a strategically vital border settlement. “The fighting has escalated as the Chin Brotherhood Alliance attempts to retain control over the strategically important zone amid a fierce offensive launched by the Chin National Army,” said an intelligence official.
As the gunfire intensified, residents from Khawmawi, Rihkhawdar and Lianhna fled across the border. Many of them crossed the swollen Tiau River in haste, with at least one reported drowning on Saturday. His body is yet to be recovered.
The Assam Rifles, deployed along the international border, have sealed the area to prevent escalation but are permitting entry to those fleeing violence. “The refugees started entering Mizoram on Thursday and came in large numbers following a heavy gunfight on Saturday. The situation is now calm, as the firing stopped yesterday evening,” the official added.
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Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has rushed to Delhi for consultations with national security authorities and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, with a contingency plan being readied to accommodate further displacement.
The Chin Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the CNDF, CDF-Mindat, and other anti-junta outfits, launched a coordinated assault on Myanmar military positions last November, culminating in the capture of key government outposts in Falam. The offensive continues, and the alliance now holds four of Chin State’s nine townships.
Despite a shared Zo ethnic identity, tensions between the CNDF and CDF-Hualngoram have flared in recent weeks over control of Khawmawi—a bustling trade node that links Chin State to India. Political realignments between the Chinland Council and the Chin National Organisation have also deepened divisions on the ground.
At least four CNDF cadres were injured during Saturday’s fighting and brought to Mizoram for medical treatment. One fallen fighter’s body was transported to his relatives in Aizawl.
Mizoram, which has shown consistent solidarity with the Chin people since Myanmar's 2021 military coup, already hosts more than 32,000 refugees.
Efforts to de-escalate tensions were undertaken by the Central Committee of the Young Mizo Association (CYMA), which brokered a ceasefire between the warring groups on Saturday evening. “Both organisations agreed to a ceasefire and to settle the dispute amicably,” CYMA general secretary Malsawmliana confirmed.
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