"Cannot Follow Military Orders" Over 80 Myanmar Police and Others Flee Military to India

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] About 50 Myanmar police officers and others who recently fled to India to escape the military junta's control after the coup are joined by more than 80 others waiting at the border to cross into India, foreign media reported on the 7th.

An Indian official said the day before, "More than 85 Myanmar nationals are waiting at the border to enter India." Earlier, eight Myanmar police officers fled to India with their families, refusing to follow the orders of the military junta that staged the coup. They crossed into Mizoram state in northeastern India, which borders Myanmar. It is known that the total number of people who have escaped Myanmar and arrived in India so far is 48. Steven Lalrinoma, the local police chief of Mizoram, stated, "They said they fled because they received orders from the military rulers that they could not follow."

Those currently waiting at the border are also reportedly trying to seek refuge in India like the earlier police officers. Thousands of refugees from minority ethnic groups, including relatives and Rohingya who fled violent conflicts in Myanmar in the past, live in India. However, it is uncertain whether India will allow additional crossings of Myanmar nationals. This is because Mizoram authorities recently began strengthening border patrols to prevent further crossings of Myanmar nationals. The Myanmar military junta has also demanded the repatriation of the eight police officers. In a recent official letter sent to the Indian government, the Myanmar military requested, "To maintain friendly relations between the two countries, please hand over the eight police officers who arrived on Indian territory back to Myanmar."

Indian authorities stated that they are reviewing Myanmar's official letter in light of recent crossing cases. Unlike the United States and other Western countries, India has taken a cautious stance, refraining from actively condemning the Myanmar coup. India has been making efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries, including Myanmar and South Asia, by providing free COVID-19 vaccines, among other measures, to counter China's expanding influence in the region.

The Myanmar military staged a coup on the 1st of last month, citing the civilian government's failure to investigate serious fraud in the November general election last year, and seized power. Since then, the military has gradually increased the level of violent suppression against protesters opposing the coup, and it is reported that about 55 protesters have died so far.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.