Bombing at India-Myanmar border: Mizoram authorities start probe

Guwahati: Bombings by Myanmar military jets along the Tiau river at the border between India and Myanmar reported by locals are under investigation. The Champhai district Deputy Commissioner, James Lalrinchhana, has sent a magistrate to verify claims made in the border villages.

Lalramliana, the President of Farkawn village council in Champai, said a truck owned by a village council member was damaged when a bomb was dropped near the river on the Mizoram side. "The vehicle was carrying river sand." Civil society groups are also alleging that the Myanmar military has bombed the military headquarters of the Chin National Army (Camp Victoria). Chin is a powerful armed local ethnic group in Myanmar. They are camped close to the Mizoram border.

Mizoram's influential NGO Coordination Committee condemned the incident and called on the Indian government to safeguard the country's sovereignty. The Committee held an emergency meeting to discuss the alleged airspace violation on January 10 and 11. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was asked to take immediate action.

Official sources told NDTV that central agencies and authorities in Mizoram are investigating the reports of bombings. The Indian Army has denied bombing on Indian soil.

Officials reported that a group of 30 refugees including women and children have arrived in Champai from the other side of the border after the Myanmar military bombed a rebel camp. Mizoram has received 30,500 Myanmar citizens since the coup in February 2021.