The ripple effect: Myanmar military coup of 2021 and its impact on Manipur and Mizoram
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Laithangbam Kumarsanu Singh
Myanmar’s geopolitical importance stems from its strategic location, rich natural resources, and its role as a crossroad between South and Southeast Asia. The military coup in 2021 significantly impacted the country’s political landscape, drawing India’s attention to the concern of border security in Manipur and Mizoram.
The country gained independence from the British in 1948. From that point on, a civil war erupted between the Myanmar military and the communist party of Burma. 1962 General Ne Win's coup led to a one-party military dictatorship. The year 1988 witnessed a pro-democracy uprising led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military responded harshly, resulting in significant loss of life. The State Law and Order Restoration Council emerged from within the military ranks to take control. They ruled with an iron fist, suppressing dissent, imprisoning political opponents, and restricting civil liberties.The act of military dictatorship led to the emergence of many ethnic armed organisations to fight against tyranny, like the Karen National Union, United Wa State Army, Kachin Independence Army, Shan State Army, Arakan Army, Mon National Liberation Army, etc. It is estimated that there are now at least 21 Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), along with many militia groups. Much of the heavy fighting between EAO and Government forces has occurred in the country's eastern and northern border areas, such as Karen (also known as Kayin), Kachin, and Shan States.
The Nation transitioned to democracy in 2008 under a new Constitution drafted by the military. The Constitution still granted wide powers to the military, and it maintained its influence by controlling significant parts of the economy. And Nationwide Parliamentary elections were held in 2015. The progress of democratisation was abruptly halted when the Tatmadaw seized power in the February 2021 coup, only three months after Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) achieved a landslide victory in the Parliamentary elections of November 2020.
The military cited widespread election fraud in the November 2020 general elections as the official reason for the coup. The Constitution of 2008 reserved a quarter of Parliamentary seats for the military and granted them key Ministries, giving them significant influence over the civilian Government. The military justified its intervention based on perceived threats to the Constitutional order. Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, along with other senior members of the NLD, were detained, and the internet and social media were shut down.
The coup triggered widespread protests across Myanmar, with people from various segments of society expressing their opposition to the military takeover. The Civil Disobedience Movement emerged, with civil servants, healthcare workers, and professionals boycotting their duties. The scale and persistence of the protests reflected deep-seated dissatisfaction with military rule. In April 2021, ousted NLD Members of Parliament, protest leaders, and activists from several minority groups established a parallel Government known as the National Unity Government (NUG). In September 2021, the NUG declared war on the military junta and formed an armed division known as the People's Defence Force. However, it is an umbrella organisation of the various militias.
The military's actions triggered international condemnation, leading to Myanmar's increased isolation on the global stage. The United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea imposed sanctions on the military junta, targeting key figures and entities associated with the coup. Economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure aimed to influence the military's behaviour and restore civilian Government. The political instability and international sanctions have taken a toll on Myanmar's economy. Economic activities, including trade and investment, have been disrupted. The decline in financial stability had repercussions for the general population, contributing to challenges related to poverty and unemployment.
The immediate effect of the political turmoil and violence in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup has led to a significant influx of refugees seeking safety and shelter, particularly in Mizoram and Manipur.
The impact of the military operations was most severe in Chin State, Sagaing, and Kachin, which were home to armed groups resisting the military junta, resulting in significant displacement from these areas. The first wave of refugees started in March 2021. The refugees primarily consist of Parliamentarians, civil servants, anti-coup protestors, teachers, army personnel, and activists. Mizoram was the first State to welcome refugees predominantly from the Chin-Kuki ethnic community of Chin and Sagaing States. As per the report from UNHCR, an estimated 54,100 people have arrived since the coup in February 2021. As of May 1, 2023, over 40,000 refugees from Myanmar were living in Mizoram, and 8250 were living in Manipur State. For Mizoram the State Government has registered over 30,000 individuals collecting biometrics and accommodating them in around 160 temporary camps.
In Manipur, the State Government initially failed to capture biometrics data, enabling individuals to cross freely through the porous Indo-Myanmar border. This has led to the emergence of small new villages in Kuki inhabited area of Tengnoupal, Churachand-pur and Chandel, with some residents engaging in poppy cultivation to earn easy money for survival. Many of the refugees have close ties with the Kuki tribe of Manipur, creating a sense of marginalisation among the Meitei community. Meitei community already feels outnumbered by the significant influx of refugees, perceiving them as a threat to socio-political situation of Manipur.
In response, the State Government has initiated measures to identify refugees and send them back to dedicated and fenced shelter homes or camps. These efforts against ‘illegal encroachers’ from Myanmar are interpreted by the Kuki as actions against their own community because they identify the Chin refugees from Myanmar as members of their own tribe. Tensions have risen between the State Government and Kuki community, leading to one of the causes of the ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki on May 3, 2023. This adds to the complexity and volatility of the situation of refugees from Myanmar in Manipur.
According to the UNHCR, since October 27, about 333,500 people have been displaced in Myanmar due to the intensifying conflict between the country's Military Army, Tatmadaw, and the Armed Ethnic Group known as the Three Brotherhood Alliances in the Shan State of Myanmar. The Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprises of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, launched Operation 1027 in the northern Shan State bordering China. The alliance, with the support of other small groups, has reportedly overrun more than 135 military positions, seized large caches of weapons and ammunition, and taken control of trade routes with China, including Kunlong town near Chin-shwehaw, the site for a proposed rail link with China.
(To be contd)
Myanmar’s geopolitical importance stems from its strategic location, rich natural resources, and its role as a crossroad between South and Southeast Asia. The military coup in 2021 significantly impacted the country’s political landscape, drawing India’s attention to the concern of border security in Manipur and Mizoram.
The country gained independence from the British in 1948. From that point on, a civil war erupted between the Myanmar military and the communist party of Burma. 1962 General Ne Win's coup led to a one-party military dictatorship. The year 1988 witnessed a pro-democracy uprising led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military responded harshly, resulting in significant loss of life. The State Law and Order Restoration Council emerged from within the military ranks to take control. They ruled with an iron fist, suppressing dissent, imprisoning political opponents, and restricting civil liberties.The act of military dictatorship led to the emergence of many ethnic armed organisations to fight against tyranny, like the Karen National Union, United Wa State Army, Kachin Independence Army, Shan State Army, Arakan Army, Mon National Liberation Army, etc. It is estimated that there are now at least 21 Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), along with many militia groups. Much of the heavy fighting between EAO and Government forces has occurred in the country's eastern and northern border areas, such as Karen (also known as Kayin), Kachin, and Shan States.
The Nation transitioned to democracy in 2008 under a new Constitution drafted by the military. The Constitution still granted wide powers to the military, and it maintained its influence by controlling significant parts of the economy. And Nationwide Parliamentary elections were held in 2015. The progress of democratisation was abruptly halted when the Tatmadaw seized power in the February 2021 coup, only three months after Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) achieved a landslide victory in the Parliamentary elections of November 2020.
The military cited widespread election fraud in the November 2020 general elections as the official reason for the coup. The Constitution of 2008 reserved a quarter of Parliamentary seats for the military and granted them key Ministries, giving them significant influence over the civilian Government. The military justified its intervention based on perceived threats to the Constitutional order. Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, along with other senior members of the NLD, were detained, and the internet and social media were shut down.
The coup triggered widespread protests across Myanmar, with people from various segments of society expressing their opposition to the military takeover. The Civil Disobedience Movement emerged, with civil servants, healthcare workers, and professionals boycotting their duties. The scale and persistence of the protests reflected deep-seated dissatisfaction with military rule. In April 2021, ousted NLD Members of Parliament, protest leaders, and activists from several minority groups established a parallel Government known as the National Unity Government (NUG). In September 2021, the NUG declared war on the military junta and formed an armed division known as the People's Defence Force. However, it is an umbrella organisation of the various militias.
The military's actions triggered international condemnation, leading to Myanmar's increased isolation on the global stage. The United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea imposed sanctions on the military junta, targeting key figures and entities associated with the coup. Economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure aimed to influence the military's behaviour and restore civilian Government. The political instability and international sanctions have taken a toll on Myanmar's economy. Economic activities, including trade and investment, have been disrupted. The decline in financial stability had repercussions for the general population, contributing to challenges related to poverty and unemployment.
The immediate effect of the political turmoil and violence in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup has led to a significant influx of refugees seeking safety and shelter, particularly in Mizoram and Manipur.
The impact of the military operations was most severe in Chin State, Sagaing, and Kachin, which were home to armed groups resisting the military junta, resulting in significant displacement from these areas. The first wave of refugees started in March 2021. The refugees primarily consist of Parliamentarians, civil servants, anti-coup protestors, teachers, army personnel, and activists. Mizoram was the first State to welcome refugees predominantly from the Chin-Kuki ethnic community of Chin and Sagaing States. As per the report from UNHCR, an estimated 54,100 people have arrived since the coup in February 2021. As of May 1, 2023, over 40,000 refugees from Myanmar were living in Mizoram, and 8250 were living in Manipur State. For Mizoram the State Government has registered over 30,000 individuals collecting biometrics and accommodating them in around 160 temporary camps.
In Manipur, the State Government initially failed to capture biometrics data, enabling individuals to cross freely through the porous Indo-Myanmar border. This has led to the emergence of small new villages in Kuki inhabited area of Tengnoupal, Churachand-pur and Chandel, with some residents engaging in poppy cultivation to earn easy money for survival. Many of the refugees have close ties with the Kuki tribe of Manipur, creating a sense of marginalisation among the Meitei community. Meitei community already feels outnumbered by the significant influx of refugees, perceiving them as a threat to socio-political situation of Manipur.
In response, the State Government has initiated measures to identify refugees and send them back to dedicated and fenced shelter homes or camps. These efforts against ‘illegal encroachers’ from Myanmar are interpreted by the Kuki as actions against their own community because they identify the Chin refugees from Myanmar as members of their own tribe. Tensions have risen between the State Government and Kuki community, leading to one of the causes of the ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki on May 3, 2023. This adds to the complexity and volatility of the situation of refugees from Myanmar in Manipur.
According to the UNHCR, since October 27, about 333,500 people have been displaced in Myanmar due to the intensifying conflict between the country's Military Army, Tatmadaw, and the Armed Ethnic Group known as the Three Brotherhood Alliances in the Shan State of Myanmar. The Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprises of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, launched Operation 1027 in the northern Shan State bordering China. The alliance, with the support of other small groups, has reportedly overrun more than 135 military positions, seized large caches of weapons and ammunition, and taken control of trade routes with China, including Kunlong town near Chin-shwehaw, the site for a proposed rail link with China.
(To be contd)