Centre urges against non-essential travel to Myanmar

NEW DELHI | Updated: 22 November, 2023 2:36 pm IST
Myanmar protestors facing off the junta police (Photo from social media)

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs advised Indian nationals in Myanmar to avoid non-essental travel owing to tensions between the junta government and the pro-democracy rebel forces, on Tuesday.

New Delhi advised all Indian nationals living in Myanmar, except short-term tourists, to register themselves with the Indian Embassy in Yangon by filling up the emergency form. The MEA has also asked the nationals to refrain from using inter-state travel by road and advised Indian tourists to not visit the country in light of the tensions itself in its latest advisory.

“All Indian nationals planning to live in Myanmar(except short term tourists) are advised to register themselves with the Embassy of India, Yangon. Registration with the Embassy will facilitate any measures that need to be taken in a situation of emergency or if such a need arises,” read the advisory.

 

The MEA has provided a step by step guideline for Indian nationals to register with the Indian Embassy, asking them to download the form from the MEA website itself. The registration form will then have to be filled up and mailed to the Consular Wing or drop the printed copy at the same place. The form has to be submitted alongside two colour passport size photographs of each family member, one copy each of the passport’s first page, last page and a copy of the visa.

“A certificate of registration will be issued to the applicant within one month. Submission of papers may either be done in person or through authorized representatives who will be required to produce authority letter and proof of identity,” the Advisory read.

The MEA had earlier expressed concern over the situation unfolding in Myanmar, calling for a ceasefire to resolve the situation through diplomatic dialogue.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said “We reiterate our call for the return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar. As a result of the fighting [at] Rihkhawdar area in Chin State, opposite Zokhawthar in Mizoram on the India-Myanmar border, there has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side. We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border.”

A number of Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in India following fresh violence erupting in the countr. Over 26,000 from Rakhine state being displaced in the fight between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Arakan Army (AA), according to figures presented by the United Nations.

The group, labelled as the ‘Three Brotherhood Alliance’ comprised of the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, had launched a coordinated offensive on October 27 in northern Shan state in northeastern Myanmar along the China border.

The group has claimed three towns for themselves along the Chinese border.

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