Repercussions arising out of the coup in Myanmar which on Monday completed a full one and a half month are already being felt in the Northeast, albeit in a small way and as a precautionary measure the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked Arunachal Pradesh and the other three states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur sharing border with the neighbour to take appropriate action as per law to prevent a possible influx of people. As per reports, as of now, more than 200 people from Myanmar have crossed over to the NE and have taken refuge mainly in Mizoram with most of them police personnel and their family members. The term ‘influx’ as generally understood relates to civilian migration particularly when the circumstances in a native place are non-conducive to the extent that compels them to seek safer havens. Thankfully, till now it hasn’t been so. But the way the Myanmar military is increasing its brutality, there is every possibility of a deluge and given the fact that the borders, including the stretch Arunachal shares are porous, it will be well-nigh impossible for the states alone to counter the influx challenge. The Centre, thus should keep a close eye on the developments and take pre-emptive measures through the bilateral diplomatic route. Above all else, thwarting a major humanitarian crisis might be a task in the waiting for the UN, the ripples of which can very well be felt by India.

The  other side of the Myanmar coup is the alleged Chinese hand in it and the people of that nation have gradually started believing it. Last Sunday which has so far been one of the bloodiest, taking away the lives of around 40 civilians as reported by multiple global news agencies, has seen a new twist with people targeting the Chinese-funded factories. Evidently, the anti-coup protesters have been suspicious of China from day one of the seize and there were continuing demonstrations in front of the Chinese embassy in Yangon. The charge that Beijing is supporting the coup and the junta, though yet to be proved cannot be waived off easily as the world and the subcontinent in particular is well aware of China’s record. After Hong Kong and Taiwan, the hard-earned democracy of Myanmar might face the stiffest challenge for a recovery, if China’s invisible hands are at play.  

Arunachal must keep  a close vigil since it shares around 520 km of border with the troubled neighbour which has no fencing. But the chunk of the responsibility in face of a mass exodus of people obviously falls on the Central government. This is a new worry for the NE in the making.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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