In the volatile Manipur-Myanmar border region, an escalating crisis has led to violence and a flood of refugees crossing into India. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has been quick to pin the blame on “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar, particularly the Kuki-Chin influx, for the ethnic conflagration and drug-related issues in his state. However, independent journalists argue that the real responsibility lies with the Myanmar military junta and the Chinese drug and mining mafias operating in the borderlands.
Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, thousands of Myanmarese have sought refuge in India’s Northeast, with Mizoram being the most affected state, sheltering around 30,000 to 40,000 Chin people. Manipur, on the other hand, has seen fewer refugees, but the blame for internal conflicts has been shifted onto them by the state government, dominated by the Meitei community and governed by the BJP.
The reality is that Myanmar citizens are fleeing into India due to the junta’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy activists. Entire villages have been destroyed, leading to a dire situation for civilians. The People’s Defence Force (PDF), an armed resistance group, has been fighting back against the military, particularly in areas near India’s Northeast.
India’s policy towards the Myanmar junta has been complex. Initially, India sought to maintain friendly ties with the military government to safeguard its strategic interests and curb Chinese influence in Myanmar. However, this approach has not been fruitful. China has been actively engaging with all sides in Myanmar, leading to significant infrastructure projects and arms supply to the junta.
Moreover, the Myanmar army has co-opted insurgent groups from India’s Northeast to fight against the PDF, undermining India’s security interests. The region has also witnessed an increase in opium cultivation, impacting the Northeast’s drug problem.
While the influx of refugees poses challenges, it is vital to recognize the junta’s role in displacing people from their homes. Sealing the border may not address the root causes of the conflict and could lead to further territorial disputes and tensions. Instead, Delhi should hold the Myanmar junta accountable and refrain from providing military supplies to a regime that uses them against its own people.
India’s Act East policy and people-to-people relations should take precedence in resolving the crisis, rather than scapegoating refugees for the problems created by the junta and its accomplices.
