Blog Elements – Page 13

Approximately 1,500 Myanmar refugees entered the India’s Mizoram State between 22 and 29 July bringing the total number of Myanmar refugees in Mizoram to 35,125, according to All India Radio.

It said that the 1,500 new refugees had dispersed across five districts in Mizoram State.

Champhai District saw the highest influx, with 1,293 refugees arriving in small groups, rather than in one large group.

In addition, 108 of the newly arrived refugees went to Lawngtlai District, 77 went to Saiha District, 14 went to Serchhip District and one went to Aizawl District, according to a Mizoram State official quoted by All India Radio.

Currently, there are 15,505 Myanmar refugees in Champhai District. They are staying in 23 refugee camps and with family and friends.

The recent refugee surge is believed to be due to intense fighting between Chin revolutionary forces and junta troops in the area between Hakha and Thantlang townships in Chin State. it is not uncommon for Myanmar people to flee from Chin State to Mizoram when there is fighting and then return when the fighting subsides.

A senior member of an Indian based refugee organisation said: “We are unaware of the recent influx of refugees. Typically, refugees flee during attacks and return when the situation calms down, making it difficult to maintain a constant refugee list.”

Mizoram based youths and NGOs have warned Myanmar refugees in Mizoram State that they must respect local customs and follow local laws and regulations. These include being prohibited from starting a business and not becoming involved in drug trafficking.

Mizzima News

Nay Linn Htike wrote articles for the Democratic Voice of Burma before the 2021 military coup.

A former reporter who was imprisoned under a law designed to punish comments that imply the military junta’s rule is illegitimate has died of cancer at an infamous prison near Yangon, a former coworker told Radio Free Asia.

Nay Linn Htike, a former freelance reporter for the independent Democratic Voice of Burma in eastern Bago region, died on July 29, according to the former coworker who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Several friends told RFA that Nay Linn Htike was suffering from oral cancer and was transferred from Daik-U Prison in a remote area of Bago region to Insein Prison to receive specialized medical care.

“He liked beetroot and developed ulcers in his mouth and was unable to receive adequate medical treatment,” one of the friends said.

Nay Linn Htike, who was in his 40s, published articles in the Democratic Voice of Burma before the February 2021 military coup.

ENG_BUR_REPORTER DIES_07312024.2.JPG — A model of the Insein Prison near Yangon, Myanmar is displayed in Yangon on April 2, 2018. (Victoria Milko/AP)

The former coworker said Nay Linn Htike was arrested while campaigning against the military after the coup and was prosecuted under Section 505(a) of the penal code, which was added by junta authorities to crack down on anti-military speech.

He was also charged under Section 52(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was also amended by the junta after the coup to make it easier to prosecute critics. He received an eight-year sentence.

“He was detained while participating in anti-military activities, reportedly as an organizer,” the former coworker said.

The friend told RFA that he received messages from Nay Linn Htike just before he was transferred to Insein.

“He wanted to ensure that those connected to him were informed about his whereabouts and health conditions,” the friend said.

Another friend of Nay Linn Htike told RFA that his family were unable to visit him at either of the prisons because they have been avoiding junta authorities.

RFA was unable to contact anyone at the office of the deputy director general of the junta’s Prisons Department to inquire about Nay Linn Htike’s death.

RFA News