Myanmar citizen arrested in India’s Mizoram State with 10 million Kyat released

29 January 2022
Myanmar citizen arrested in India’s Mizoram State with 10 million Kyat released

A Myanmar citizen with 10 million kyats (US$5,600) was arrested on January 26 by the Assam Rifles army in Khine Khi village, Saiha District, Mizoram State, India and was released on January 27.

After he was arrested, he was interrogated by Assam Rifles personnel and taken to the customs office in Lone Lay. They confiscated the money and his motorcycle and reimbursed him 400 Rupees and released him on January 27.

He told Mizzima that he was arrested while sending money to help refugees fleeing across the border through foreign relatives.

Even though he faced hurdles with the language barrier and some misunderstanding, he is now being helped by a local organization helping Myanmar refugees, he explained.

"We are now negotiating with the authorities to recover the confiscated money, motorcycle and mobile phone," Salai Charlie, a Secretary from Myanmar Refugees Committee (Lunglei) said.

Salai Charlie said that in India, foreign currency can only be held with a license. Even though it is a crime, we hope that the authorities who are helping the refugees in Mizoram will realize and all confiscated things will be returned.

The Assam Rifles army, which is in charge of border security, has not interfered in the entry of Myanmar nationals into India. But, if people break the law, they arrest people and hand them to the authorities.

More than 30,000 Myanmar nationals, including members of parliament representatives and CDM staff are taking refuge in Mizoram State, India after the military coup in Myanmar.