An Appeal to NESO Leaders on Myanmar Refugees

My good friends, NESO leaders

As we all know, on February 1, 2021, the democratically elected government in Myanmar was overthrown by the military which was followed by a mass protest by the people. The Myanmar Army has been firing at the peaceful protesters and hundreds have been shot dead.

More than a thousand Myanmarese nationals have fled the country and crossed over to Mizoram.

Whereas India, being the largest democracy in the world, is supposed to extend support to the ongoing struggle for restoration of democracy in Myanmar, not only remains a silent spectator but has even ordered the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to deport Myanmar refugees seeking shelter in their states.

The Mizoram government has made it crystal clear that it cannot accept the MHA order. Mizoram MP (RS) and former MZP president K Vanlalvena has criticised the MHA order in the Parliament and also discussed the issue with India Vice President. Deporting Myanmar refugees means sending them to the jaw of death. The Myanmar Army are sure to kill them once they are deported.

As the Myanmar refugees belong to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group, who are Mizos'ethnic kin, we are obliged to give them shelter.

I earnestly appealAMSU, NSF and AAPSU to urge their respective state governments to protect Myanmarese refugees who are seeking shelter in their states as they are ethnically related to us. In Mizoram, the MZP has been working for the safety and welfare of the refugees.

Did not the Indian government passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill to provide citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh despite our mass protests? Why does it orders four NE states to deport our brothers and sisters from Myanmar now?

I appeal the NESO leaders to convene a meeting as early as possible to discuss the refugees crisis in the NE states.

~ Lalmuanpuia Punte

Former Vice Chairman

North East Students' Organisation (NESO)

02.04.2021

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