Revealed: How Mizoram became entry point for mercenaries headed to Myanmar

PARBATTA NEWS DESK

In June last year, Mizoram police arrested Daniel Newey at Aizawl’s Lengpui airport. The Britisher, returning from Myanmar, had one live bullet in his bag – a crime punishable under the Arms Act, 1960 – but not the kind of news anyone would normally follow, according to The Times of India.

The context of this arrest became clear only recently. The Times of India reports that Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said foreigners, including mercenaries and ex-members of the special forces of the UK and the US, are entering Myanmar via Mizoram to train insurgent groups. Newey spent six months in jail and was released in February.

“Nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Aizawl between June and December last year, but they were never seen here,” Lalduhoma said. “Their main intention might have been to interfere in the internal affairs of Myanmar,” he told the newspaper.

“New Delhi has been closely watching the situation in the border areas,” he added, noting that the recent visit to Mizoram by US diplomats came as a surprise to the state government. To understand what’s happening on the ground in Myanmar, reporters from the publication travelled to the neighbouring country.

An Empty Village on a Hill

Some 16 km from the Mizoram border is Haimual village, perched on a picturesque hill. The village of about 200 families is empty. Women, children, and most men have taken shelter in a UN relief camp across the border in Mizoram.

Hut Salai Rina (name changed) remains, watching TV in his hut. The earthquake in Myanmar has killed over 2,700. Meanwhile, the junta that seized power in a 2021 coup continues bombing rebel-held areas. Rina is a rebel commander in the People’s Defence Force (PDF) Zoland, which controls parts of Chin state. He is joined by rifle-toting comrades in military fatigues.

“Our villages are empty. Our people are in relief camps in India. But these attacks cannot break our resolve. We’ve received good training from foreign soldiers and can fight the (Myanmar) military,” said one of the rebels, speaking to the newspaper.

Rina confirmed they had received arms training from former British soldiers. “There was also a former US special forces member who trained other anti-coup Chin groups operating from here,” he said.

Warplanes continue bombing towns in central and eastern Chin state – Hakha, Falam, Tedim, Thantlang, Mindat – where resistance groups have failed to capture Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) bases. Civilians have been killed or maimed in the attacks.

A former Chinland Defence Force (CDF) commander, now police chief in Myanmar’s Hualngoram near Mizoram’s Champhai district, said they had seen foreign mercenaries in other Chin groups. “Initially we trained at Camp Victoria, HQ of Chin National Front (CNF) and its armed wing, Chin National Army (CNA),” he said.

The Healing Touch

Numerous medical professionals are working with the PDF and CDF inside Chin state. Many are supported by the Geneva-based Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), providing medical care to conflict-displaced people. They also operate mobile clinics in Mizoram.

MSF offers mental health support and relief items. Those with serious injuries are sent to private hospitals in Aizawl, often for surgery to remove shrapnel. MSF covers the cost, as per the report.

Keeping Things Going

Pu Hminga, head of the Hualngoram People’s Organisation (HPO), based in Khawmawi village of Chin state, said the HPO runs a self-government, overseeing the people’s resistance militia (CDF-Hualngoram), the local police, as well as health and education services. Roads are also built and maintained by the group.

The civilian government is led by elected village council leaders, mostly former CDF commanders. “We are part of the Chinland Council, aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG) – the Myanmar government in exile formed by ousted lawmakers from the 2020 elections,” Hminga explained.

Delhi is Worried

Back in New Delhi, the home ministry has reinstated the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Mizoram. A holding area is being set up at Lengpui airport to verify Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP). Foreigners must now seek special clearance – as required before 2010 – under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1998.

“We are making arrangements as per MHA directions and remain in close contact with the central government,” said state home minister K Sapdanga, quoted in the report.

The Centre has also suspended the Free Movement Regime, which allowed residents of both sides of the border to travel up to 16 km into the other country without documentation. The move has triggered outrage. Assam Rifles now requires border passes. The Mizoram government has protested, saying border communities share deep cultural, religious, and ancestral ties, the report notes.