In the aftermath of devastating conflicts in Chin State, Myanmar, many victims—both civilians and fighters—are receiving critical medical care in Mizoram, India. Civilian casualties, often caused by airstrikes, include severe injuries requiring immediate attention. Fighters wounded in battles or maimed by landmines are rushed from the frontlines to Aizawl for treatment when conditions allow. For the most complex cases, patients are referred to advanced facilities in New Delhi.
These individuals undergo surgeries and intensive care, followed by recovery in safehouses. These shelters provide a secure environment for rest and rehabilitation, away from the dangers of ongoing violence. Once stabilized, many survivors return to Chin, though scars—both physical and emotional—remain.
Mizoram has become a lifeline for these war victims, reflecting the region's solidarity and humanity in a time of crisis. The coordinated effort to provide healing offers hope amidst the turmoil and underscores the resilience of those affected.
Chin refugee in a camp on the border between India and Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Bawi Lian Thaw, 25 years, is an active Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) member. He was on home leave in Weibula in Burma last April when the village was hit by airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar military regime. His house was directly hit, his parents and sister died instantly. He barely survived and is left blind on one eye and lost his left leg and right arm. That day in April 2023, 12 villagers of Weibula were killed during the airstrikes. Airstrikes on civilians has become a routine retaliation by the Myanmar junta for the losses Tatmadaw is enduring during battles with People Defense Forces and other ethnic liberation movements. Lian is now in a safehouse with his fiancée waiting to receive further care and prothesis. CNDF safehouse in Mizoram, India, June 2023
Member of the Chin Defence Forces (CDF) who was amputated after stepping on a landmine in Paletwa in southern Chin State. It took more than 48 hours to have him evacuated from the frontline to Aizawl hospital in India where he got treatment and the amputation. Safehouse in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, September 2022
Chin refugee in a camp on the border between India and Myanmar. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
A member of the People Defense Forces (PDF) in a safehouse in India after recovering of his left hand amputation. Aizawl, Mizoram, India, June 2023
Sui Hmung, 74 years, and his wife, Cuai Zing, 64 years are refugees from Chin State in Myanmar and fled with their daughter from Hakha to finally arrive in New Delhi after several months of transiting through Chin State in Myanmar and Mizoram in India. They are hoping to be resettled in a third country via the UNHCR office in New Delhi. Janakpuri, New Delhi, India, December 2022
Sui Lian a member of the Chin Defence Forces is 25 years and a graduate in biology from the university of Kalay in Sagaing State. He was hit by multiple sharpnel in the legs during the Lunglen battle near Hakka, Chin State, in September 2021. He was evacuated to Aizawl after several days where he stayed 6 months for treatment before being sent for further treatment to Delhi where both his legs had eventually to be amputated. CDF safehouse in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, September 2022
Injured young combattants of the Chin National Defense Forces (CNDF) recovering from their wounds and surgery in a safehouse in Mizoram. Despite being close to the border with Myanmar, it takes between 3 and 15 days to get wounded people to a medical facility in India, delays that contribute to a high number of amputations and other irreversible conditions. CNDF safehouse in Aizawl, India. June 2023
Zaw Zaw Myint, 50 years old and his spouse Sui Chin Tial. Zaw Zaw is explaining and showing how he was imprisoned and tortured during his arrest in June and July 2021. His son Zaw Zaw Htet was 26 years when arrested and killed. His son was participating in demonstrations against the military coup in Myanmar when he was arrested in Kalay. That same evening his father was arrested. The son would be killed shortly after the arrest, the father was ultimately released after nearly 2 months of torture and detention. Him and his wife would only at the time of his release learn about their son's killing. Officially deceased of a heart attack. The body was cremated by the military and never released to the family. They are now seeking asylum in a third country and are waiting for that to happen in New Delhi. Janakpuri, Delhi, India, December 2022
Injured young combattants of the Chin National Army recovering from their wounds and surgery in a safehouse in Mizoram. Despite being close to the border with Myanmar, it takes between 3 and 15 days to get wounded people to a medical facility in India, delays that contribute to a high number of amputations and other irreversible conditions. CNA safehouse in Aizawl, India. June 2023
Lal Cawi from Chin State in Myanmar, 22 years old from Kalay city. Was involved in a military operation as part of the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) mid November 2022 and stepped on a landmine while retreating. After receiving frist trauma treatment on the battlefield he was evacuated to Mizoram where his leg was amputated a couple of days ago. Before the military coup he worked as a carpenter and driver. Aizawl safehouse, Mizoram State, India, December 2022
Chin combattant recovering from a serious injury in a safehouse in Mizoram, India, December 2022
Chin refugee and her baby working as daily labour in plantations around Cameron Highlands. This family arrived in 2018 from Mindat in Chin State, Myanmar. They make about 15 usd per day and pay in average 180 usd to rent a shelter. Schools and health facilities are far off and not really accessible. Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands in Malyasia, October 2022
A Chin National Army (CNA) combattant waiting for eye surgery in India. For injured civilians and combattants from Chin State in Myanmar, the only hope is to make it in time to receive medical treatment in the bordering Indian State of Mizoram. Despite being close to the border with Myanmar, it takes between 3 and 15 days to get wounded people to a medical facility in India, delays that contribute to a high number of amputations and other irreversible conditions. CNA safehouse in Aizawl, India. June 2023
Sui Chin Tial from Chin in Myanmar. Her son Zaw Zaw Htet was 26 years when arrested and killed. Her son was participating in demonstrations against the military coup in Myanmar when arrested in Kalay. Her son would be killed shortly after the arrest, her husband was ultimately released after nearly 2 months of torture and detention. Him and his wife would only at the time of his release learn about their son's killing. Officially deceased of a heart attack. The body was cremated by the military and never released to the family. They are now seeking asylum in a third country and are waiting for that to happen in New Delhi. Janakpuri, Delhi, India, December 2022
Bawi, 24 years, recently injured on the front-line by sharpnel wounds. He is part of the People Defence Forces (PDF) fighting the military regime in Magway State in central Myanmar. He is being evacuated towards India and is in meanwhile transiting in a safe house in the Lautu region in Chin State. Usually it can take several weeks before injured people are reaching equipped hospitals, increasing the risk of death or amputations. Bawi was a university student at the time of the coup in February 2021. PDF safehouse in Lautu region, Chin State, Myanmar, September 2022
Mother and her child who recently fled from Chin State in Myanmar because of heavy fighting. Zokhawthar, Mizoram in India, November 2022
Chin National Defence Forces (CNDF) recovering from serious injuries in a safehouse in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, December 2022
Su Anti (left) from Kalay, 23 years, lost his left hand while using a locally made rocket propelled grenade (RPG) last July. He participated in civil desobedience movement (CDM) and deserted Myanmar army training to join the resistance a couple of months after the military coup in February 2021. Aizawl safehouse, India, December 2022
La Jang from Chin, 33 years, was wounded in Kalay when a bullet went through his jaw and destroyed his mouth and teeth last July. He can hardly speak as a result of the injury and has been evacuated to Mizoram in India for further care.. Before the military coup he was working in a furniture factory in Burma. Safehouse in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, December 2022
A National League for Democracy (NLD) campaign organisor during the 2020 national elections in Burma. As a senior NLD figure in the town of Falam he was placed on an arrest list in February 2021 during the military coup in Myanmar. He fled to India in February 2021 where he has been ever since. Was infected with Covid-19 last July and has been on 24/24 oxygen since then. Safehouse in Aizawl, India, December 2022
Member of the Chin Defence Forces recovering from injury in a safehouse in Aizawl. Mizoram, India, September 2022
