India: planned expulsion of Burmese refugees to their country of origin

2024-03-09T10:47:11.559Z

Highlights: In India, dozens of Burmese refugees will be expelled this weekend. They had taken refuge in the border state of Manipur after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. But India recently closed its border with its neighbor and announced its intention to send them back to their country of origin. India is struggling to calm ethnic tensions in Manipur, which have left more than 200 dead, and fears that an influx of refugees could make them worse. The Indian interior minister wants to build a 1,600 kilometer hard border with Burma.

In India, dozens of Burmese refugees will be expelled this weekend. They had taken refuge in the border state of Manipur after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. But India has…

India: planned expulsion of Burmese refugees to their country of origin

In India, dozens of Burmese refugees will be expelled this weekend.

They had taken refuge in the border state of Manipur after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.

But India recently closed its border with its neighbor and announced its intention to send the Burmese back to their country of origin.

Burmese refugees in India demonstrate in New Delhi against the junta in power in their country, February 5, 2021 (illustrative image).

AFP - PRAKASH SINGH

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in India,

Côme Bastin

Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said on Friday that India

providing aid to those who have fled the crisis in

Burma
, for humanitarian reasons

While posting a video featuring the expulsion of women and children set to epic music.

According to the

Times of India

, 77 Burmese citizens will be escorted back to the Burmese border by Monday March 11 and handed over to the country's authorities, that is to say the military junta.

Since the 2021 coup and the clashes with the rebels, thousands of people have taken refuge in India, mainly in the states of Manipur and Mizoram.

Free trade agreement revoked

However, the Indian government wants to put an end to this situation.

A free movement agreement between the two countries was revoked in February.

The Indian interior minister now wants to build a 1,600 kilometer hard border with Burma.

Behind this hardening, there is a double concern.

Since October 2023, soldiers from the Burmese junta and rebels have ventured into India.

Furthermore, India is struggling to calm ethnic tensions in Manipur, which have left more than 200 dead, and fears that an influx of refugees could make them worse.

Read alsoBurma: the situation in the country is “an endless nightmare”, says the UN

India: planned expulsion of Burmese refugees to their country of origin

India: planned expulsion of Burmese refugees to their country of origin

Free trade agreement revoked

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