The chief minister of a province in coup-hit Myanmar is among over 9,000 people who have fled to India’s northeastern state of Mizoram over the past few months.
Salai Lian Luai, chief minister of Myanmar's Chin state, crossed over to India on Monday night via the border town of Champhai, which is around 185km from state capital Aizwal, NDTV reported.
According to PTI, the Chin state in western Myanmar shares a 510km western border with six districts in Mizoram Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual.
Since the coup - which took place on February 1, at least 9,247 Myanmar nationals have entered Mizoram in search of shelter.
They include Luai and 23 other lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD), which is former State Counsellor and Foreign Affairs Minister Aung San Suu Kyi's party.
An Indian Home Department official said, the 24 lawmakers had taken shelter in different districts of the state, specially those on the Myanmar border.
According to available data, 1,633 people have taken refuge in Aizawl, 1,297 in Lawngtlai district, 633 in Siaha district, 478 in Hnahthial district, 167 in Lunglei district, 143 in Serchhip district, 112 in Saitual district, 36 in Kolasib district and 28 in Khawzawl district.
The official also said they were being provided with shelter and food by civil society, student and youth organizations, and NGOs. Many have also been offered sheltered by locals, the official added.
On Tuesday, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that his government had also sanctioned money to provide relief to those who had taken refuge in his state. The money will be released very soon, he said.
