Against the backdrop of continued rioting in Manipur, citizens of Myanmar who are “temporarily sheltering” in India because of the military crackdown back home should stay away from political matters and ethnic conflicts, the rebel National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar has said in a public notice. The timing of the announcement is significant as a large number of Kuki population of Kuki Chin and Sagaing regions of Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram and Manipur after the February 1, 2021 military coup.
“There were some reports earlier that people from Myanmar were involved in the developments in Manipur. We do not think that is correct and we have asked our citizens to stay away from domestic political processes in India,” a leading member of the NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Hindu on Saturday. The public announcement has urged the displaced individuals “to live in harmony and appropriately with host communities and follow the religious and social rules in the wards or villages” that they are residing in.
