India Deports At Least 38 Myanmar Refugees Amid Ongoing Clashes and Elections

On Thursday, India deported 38 Myanmar refugees from the northeastern state of Manipur, marking the first phase of deportations following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. The move comes amidst ongoing national elections in India and sporadic violence in Manipur, which has claimed at least 220 lives since May last year.

Why this matters: The deportation of Myanmar refugees by India has significant implications for the country's stance on refugee protection and its relations with neighboring countries. This move may also set a precedent for how India handles future refugee influxes, potentially affecting the lives of thousands of people seeking asylum.

The deportation efforts faced challenges as a result of fighting between Myanmar's rebel forces and the ruling junta. Thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops from Myanmar have crossed the border into India since the coup, raising concerns for New Delhi. India has announced plans to fence its border with Myanmar and end a visa-free movement policy.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated, "Without any discrimination, we have completed the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar." India also repatriated one of its own nationals who had been in Myanmar.

India has not signed the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention, which outlines refugee rights and states' responsibilities to protect them, and does not have its own laws protecting refugees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has blamed the refugee influx as one reason for the violence in Manipur, as Modi seeks a rare third straight term in the ongoing national elections.

The 2021 military coup in Myanmar led to a surge in refugees crossing the border into India, particularly in the northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram. Ethnic clashes have been ongoing in Manipur since May last year, resulting in significant violence and displacement. India's deportation efforts have raised concerns among human rights groups, who argue that the country has a responsibility to protect refugees and asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state remains precarious, with over 1,500 Hindus and 20 Rakhines trapped amidst escalating violence in Buthidaung town. A curfew has been imposed from 7 pm to 6 am in Buthidaung and Maungdaw areas. Allegations have emerged of the military training and conscripting Rohingyas to participate in combat and target people based on religion and ethnicity.

A source stated, "The battles are intensifying on the ground in Buthidaung... Rohingyas are being trained as conscripts and they are being made to target people based on their religion and ethnicity." Two Rohingya youths, Kefayet Ullah, 19, and Anwar Mostafa, 18, were apprehended after fleeing military training grounds, where they were reportedly plucked from refugee camps in Bangladesh and forced to undergo training in rifle usage.

The ongoing conflict and instability in Myanmar continue to have far-reaching consequences, both within the country and across its borders. As India struggles with the influx of refugees and its own domestic challenges, the international community watches closely, urging all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and find peaceful resolutions to the complex issues at hand.

Key Takeaways

• India deports at least 38 Myanmar refugees from Manipur, first phase of deportations since 2021 coup.
• Deportation raises concerns about India's stance on refugee protection and relations with neighbors.
• India hasn't signed 1951 UN Refugee Convention and lacks laws protecting refugees.
• Myanmar's Rakhine state remains precarious, with Hindus and Rakhines trapped amidst escalating violence.
• Allegations emerge of Myanmar military training and conscripting Rohingyas to target people based on religion and ethnicity.