Northeast India Situation

KEY UPDATES

• At least 21 cadres arrested in India’s Northeast in the last month^9-23 adding to over 10,158 arrests of cadres made in Northeast India since 2014. During that same period, 587 insurgents have been killed in counter-insurgency efforts, along with the death of 128 special forces personnel.

• Over 30 Myanmar Refugees^{24, 25} arrested in Manipur in the last month for “illegal” entry into the country, adding to a rising number of arrests of Myanmar asylum-seekers in Manipur, deemed unlawful by many experts. Although the Supreme Court has not, the courts in Manipur have sided with Myanmar nationals, stating that they are not “illegal” migrants, and have non-refoulement rights as refugees.²⁶

• 39,600¹ Myanmar asylum seekers are currently estimated in Mizoram, however, estimates are likely an undercount. The Mizoram government continues to issue Identity cards to refugees, however civil organizations still push the Indian government to afford stronger legal rights to asylum seekers.

• 7,800¹ Myanmar asylum-seekers are currently estimated in Manipur, however, estimates are likely undercounted. The majority of refugees in Manipur remain in hiding due to fear of retribution by the Manipur State government.

• Mizoram locked gates at 2 border entry points following the deaths of 3 Mizoram natives who crossed into Myanmar. The Matupi Hlungmang and Gawnglaung village gates have been closed, cutting off essential access to food, medical treatment, and shelter for refugees.²⁷

• KCP accused political elites of encouraging illegal drug trade in Manipurfor decades in an address to the public and its supporters.²⁸

Situation Overview

In Myanmar, heavy fighting remained constant across the nation’s border states. March continued to see an increased number of airstrikes, evictions and destruction of homes, and arbitrary arrests and executions. Internationally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have continued to increase, specifically in the Northwest Sagaing Region, Chin State, and Magway Region, as well as in Southeast regions of the state. refugees and asylum-seekers in neighboring countries, and worsening food insecurities and fuel shortages.^{1, 5}

Northwest Myanmar continued to see constant airstrikes, landmine incidents, arbitrary arrests and executions, and arson attacks. Increased violence has continued to drive an influx of refugees across the Indo-Burma border. Magway and Sagaing Regions both continued to experience Internet shutdowns and blackouts, hampering humanitarian access and communications among civilians.⁴

Sagaing Region experienced the deadliest single attack on civilians to date. On April 11^th, 2023, on the eve of Thingyan (Myanmar’s Buddhist New Year water festival) in Pazi Gyi village, the Myanmar military executed a coordinated airstrike on a civilian Thingyan celebration, killing over 170 people, including at least 109 men, 24 women, and 38 children. At least 53 were wounded.⁶ The Myanmar air force dropped multiple aerial bombs, while attack helicopters fired rounds on the several hundred civilians gathered. The international community was outraged by the attack, with Germany, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations among the most outspoken. Amnesty International called for an immediate suspension of aviation fuel supply to Myanmar.⁷

In another offensive earlier in April, ground troops of the Myanmar military conducted raids, heavy artillery shelling, and coordinated airstrikes on Kalay Township, displacing over 27,000 people. Most residents of Chan Thar Gyi, Mauk Lin, Sa Meik Kwin, Nan Chaung, Pyin Taw U, Gyoe Gyar Kwin, Min Hla, Let Pan Chaung, and Myauk Chaw Taw villages were forced to flee.²⁹

There are over 752,000¹ IDPs in Sagaing, a number driven by increased military air strikes and raids, imposed martial law, food shortages, destruction of property, among other violence in the region.⁴ Data for Myanmar has also published that, of the 60,000 homes burned by the Junta across Myanmar, 43,000^{4, 30} homes have been burned down in Sagaing Region.

Chin State IDPs number north of 48,700¹ people. The Chin State experienced a continual daily bombardment of airstrikes, resulting in at least 21 civilian deaths just in the last month.³¹ One of the attacks, on March 30^th, 2023, targeted Khuafo, a village of around 60 households near the Indo-Burma border. 10 civilians were reported dead, including a 3-year-old and a 9-year-old, and 20 injured. There were no resistance fighters in the village, adding to deliberate arbitrary attacks on civilians across Myanmar.³²

Also in the Chin State, the bodies of 3 Mizoram nationals were found dead and charred, leading to mass protests in Mizoram.³³ In response to the killing, Mizoram has locked 2 border gates in Matupi Hlungmang and Gawnglaung vilages, cutting off access to food, medical treatment, and critical refuge.³⁴ The Chin Defense Forces report continued incursions into the Chin State by Indian Border Security forces, who have fired guns into the air and arrested anti-Junta Chin forces.³⁵

Southern Chin and Rakhine Regionsstill maintain a ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF). There are reports of forced recruitment of civilians, and there has been an increased Rohingya exodus via dangerous land and sea routes.⁵

Northeast and Southeast Myanmar has seen increased shelling and airstrikes, arbitrary arrests and forced labor, reduced access to food and basic needs, and continued attacks near town centers and IDPs sites.⁵

Mandalay saw upticks in IDPs in April, as well as disturbing arrests. The Myanmar military arrested at least 15 primary and secondary teachers working remotely for the NUG online school, the Federal School of Aungmyaythazan. The school was established for children and families boycotting the military’s education system. Mothers have also been arrested for sending their children to NUG-run online schools.³⁶

In southern Karen State, about 5,000 refugees crossed into Thailand’s Tak province, where shelters have been set up by local residents. Thailand’s air force pledged protection to refugees and citizens, stating that it was “ready to send patrol flights if Thai airspace is violated.”³⁷

Across Myanmar, the Military regime has deemed 63 political parties eligible for an upcoming election, however, virtually all parties have ties with the military, and many are led by ex-generals. 34 parties sought guarantees from the military Chief, Min Aung Hlaing, that there would be interventions if voting appeared unfair.³⁸ Democracy advocates have continued to claim that the election is undemocratic and that people will neither participate in nor accept the results of the election.³⁹ The military has also dissolved the National League for Democracy (NLD) along with 40 other parties, who did not register in protest of the election, and have made statements against accepting results.⁴⁰ The U.S., the U.K., Japan, and Australia have all condemned undemocratic moves by the Myanmar Military, warning that the military’s election will only escalate instability.⁴¹

Also in reports are growing concerns about the Myanmar Junta’s relationships with China and North Korea. North Korea News reported that Myanmar’s Royal Shune Lei Company Ltd. brokered a deal with Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation for arms purchases.⁴² Tensions also grew between India and China over development of a spy base in Coco Islands.⁴³

In a new report by the NUG Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children’s Affairs, and the National Unity Consultative Council Joint Coordination Committee on Gender Policy, at least 122 reports of sexual assault by the Junta have been reported. 60% of resistance forces in Myanmar are made up of women, and the majority of protests are led by women. Women are also critical in fighting and moving supplies to the front lines.⁴⁴

In Northeast India, the government has yet to structure and implement wide-spread humanitarian and legal support for over 52,400¹ Myanmar refugees and asylum-seekers. Additional Border Security forces continued to be deployed along the Indo-Burma border with regular foot patrols to protect against army incursions and stop refugees and asylum-seekers from entering India.⁴⁵

A pact between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and three of it’s factions (NSCN/NK, NSCN/R, and NSCN/K-Khango) was signed on Thursday, April 6^th to extend ceasefire by another year.⁴⁶ Amit Shah continues to reinstate the importance of developing the Northeast Region, and he made special mention of developing better boarder infrastructure, including roads, fencing, floodlights, and border outposts.⁴⁷ The KCP issued a statement calling for accountability of political elites who have encouraged the trade and trafficking of illicit drugs through India’s Northeast and into Indigenous communities.⁴⁸

In Manipur, there are an estimated 7,800¹ Myanmar refugees, most of whom are in hiding due to a crackdown on what Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is calling “illegal immigrants”.⁴⁹ The Manipur government began setting up temporary detention centers in Chandel to hold refugees and asylum-seekers, until a decision is made about their fate, deporting or otherwise.⁵⁰ 23 Myanmar Refugees were arrested in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.⁵¹ They were working in the local weaving industry.⁵² 7 Myanmar Refugees, including 2 juveniles, from Myanmar’s Sagaing region were also arrested in Manipur’s Imphal airport.⁵³

In Mizoram, there are an estimated 39,600¹ Myanmar refugees. The Mizoram State Government has undertaken informal measures to ensure the safety and security of Myanmar Nationals in the region. The government has led a campaign to issue Identity cards to all refugees.⁵⁴ Although the Identity Cards don’t hold any legal ramifications, they have helped refugees and asylum-seekers assimilate more freely into society, and have also given humanitarian aid organizations a structure within which to assess needs and administer aid.

Humanitarian Response

In Northwest Myanmar regions, humanitarian aid remains largely inaccessible to those in need due to heightened conflict. A 3-day workshop on protection and security was held in Sagaing Region by the UNHCR, and Food Security Cluster delivered food, cash assistance, or rice assistance to over 500,000 in Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Rahkine State, and Shan and Southern Shan States.^{1, 5}

In Rakhine State, the ceasefire has improved humanitarian access. Temporary learning spaces for education, life skills, and Gender-Based Violence training were established across the region, however, the distribution of non-formal education kits in Ann and Mrauk-U Townships were challenged at Junta checkpoints.5 UNHCR distributed CRIs to 12,500 IDPs (2,100 families), and 864 people (404 families) in Rakhine North. CRIs included kitchen sets, blankets, jerry cans, buckets, portable solar lamps, sleeping mats, and mosquito nets.¹

Kachin and Shan (North) States the ceasefire has improved humanitarian access. Temporary learning spaces for education, life skills, and Gender-Based Violence training were established across the region, however, the distribution of non-formal education kits in Ann and Mrauk-U Townships were challenged at Junta checkpoints.5 UNHCR distributed CRIs to 12,500 IDPs (2,100 families), and 864 people (404 families) in Rakhine North. CRIs included kitchen sets, blankets, jerry cans, buckets, portable solar lamps, sleeping mats, and mosquito nets.¹

Southeast States States have received CRIs for 8,000 IDPs (3,800 families), as well as 190,000 PPEs.1 Learning and teaching material were distributed throughout Kayin and Kayah. Capacity building trainings and psychosocial support for teachers were also provided in the region.⁵