Assam Rifles on 'routine' training near Myanmar border

AIZAWL: Assam Rifles personnel are conducting 'routine' joint training exercise in southern Mizoram 's Lawngtlai bordering Myanmar .


Sources said that the 'routine' joint training exercise was conducted by 1st, 10th and 46th battalions of the Assam Rifles, while it was now evident that the Assam Regiment personnel were involved and the training was undertaken under the supervision of the Defense Ministry.

On Wednesday, the troops also opened a free clinic for villagers of Vathuampui.

Sources said that the troops were sent to take up humanitarian works in the event of refugees entering Lawngtlai district if the Myanmar Army and AA confrontation resulted in spurt of refugee influx.

The troops were also deployed to prevent insurgents from infiltrating into Mizoram soil, the sources said.

Over 1,700 refugees from Paletwa and surrounding villages in Myanmar had fled and took shelter in Hmawngbuchhuah and surrounding villages in Lawngtlai district during November-December, 2017, of which around 300 refugees remained at Hmawngbuchhuah village in Lawngtlai district. The refugees remained claiming that Myanmar was not yet safe for them.

Meanwhile, People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party on Thursday termed the activities of the Indian troops in Lawngtlai district not only alarming to the local populace but also violation of the law.

A press statement issued by the PRISM said that villagers were herded in Vathuampui and Zochachhuah by the troops which was beyond the power of the army and wanton violation of human rights. The party urged the state government to make official statement on the incident and take steps to reassure the civilians who were living in fear and confusion.

"We demand that the state government should safeguard the rights of the people and take steps to ensure that no violation of human rights re-occurred in the state," the statement said, adding that the party
would take up the matter to the national and international fora if the state government fails to act in this direction.