The Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the National Unity Government (NUG) has released a list of dos and don’ts for Myanmar refugees who are taking shelter in India for security reasons.

The request of the NUG was made as community tension between Kukis and Meiteis has increased in India’s Manipur border state. The former in this state share ethnic lineage with Myanmar’s Chin community and the latter fear they will be outnumbered by the arrival of the refugees.

The statement issued on 15 June said that Myanmar citizens and their social organizations are to avoid disturbing the host country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, not to associate with the host country’s political and administrative matters, not to get involved in the illegal wildlife and drug trades, to live harmoniously with the respective local communities and to abide by social and religious disciplines and, if needed, to immediately contact with the nearest Myanmar’s Hluttaw representatives, social organizations and ministry of foreign affairs should there be any problems.

The ministry also advised Myanmar’s Hluttaw representatives and social organizations to convey this message to their nearby IDPs and communities.

Since the Myanmar military coup in February 2021, over 50,000 civilians have fled from Myanmar’s Chin State and Sagaing Region into India’s northeast, according to a report of the United States Institute of Peace, on 15 June.

The Indian government has allowed Myanmar refugees into their country. As Myanmar’s coup consequences have worsened India is expected to rethink its position before the fallout seriously threatens its national interests.

The Indian communities of Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland have ethnic and kinship ties extending into Myanmar’s Chin State and the Sagaing Region.