More than 5,600 Myanmar nationals, including 18 lawmakers have so far sneaked into Mizoram since the military junta has taken control of the democratically elected government in the neighbouring country on February 1, a police officer said on Friday.
More than 100 refugees have returned to their country, the police officer said.
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Quoting the data of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of state police, which dealt with the Myanmar refugees, he said that a total of 5,673 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in Mizoram with the border district Champhai housing the highest at 3,170.
He said that at least 18 lawmakers (members of parliament) belonging to the National League for Democracy (NLD) party are among the Burmese, who have taken refuge in the state.
He said that the actual figure could be more as some refugees are believed to be left unrecorded, he said.
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According to the officer, the Myanmar nationals are currently taking refuge in 9 districts, including the state capital Aizawl.
The southernmost Lawngtlai district housed 887 Myanmar nationals, Siaha district- 633, Aizawl district- 419, Hnahthial district- 313, Saitual district- 112, Serchhip district – 62, Lunglei district- 41 and Kolasib district, which borders Assam, housed 36 Burmese, he said.
He said that majority of the Myanmar nationals are being provided food by the local NGOs, while some are sheltered by villagers.
Six Mizoram districts- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual share a 510 km long international border with Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the state spokesperson on Covid-19 Dr. Pachuau Lalmalsawma said that some Myanmar nationals have been found infected with Covid-19.
He, however, could not verify the actual number.
The official said that a 61-year old woman from Myanmar, who died of Covid-19 on May 17, was not a refugee but a visitor, who came to see her relatives.