As fighting rages between rebel forces in Myanmar and the junta-regime, hundreds of Myanmar Army personnel are fleeing to India. Mizoram government has alerted the centre about the development and urged them to quickly ensure that the soldiers from the neighbouring nation are sent back.

Nearly 600 Myanmar Army soldiers have crossed into India amid intense clashes. They took refuge in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after their camps were captured by the Arakan Army (AA) militants – an ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine – government sources said. The soldiers have been sheltered in an Assam Rifles camp, they said.

The situation has prompted urgent talks between Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the plenary session of the Northeastern Council meeting in Shillong.

Government sources say Mizoram emphasised the need for a swift repatriation of the Myanmar Army personnel who have taken refuge within the state. This plea comes amid growing concerns about the escalating tension and the impact it could have on the region’s stability.

Speaking to reporters after the plenary session, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma shed light on the ongoing situation.

“People are fleeing from Myanmar to our country for shelter, and we are helping them on humanitarian grounds. Soldiers of Myanmar keep coming, seeking shelter, and earlier we used to send them back by air. Around 450 army personnel were sent back,” Chief Minister Lalduhoma said.

Myanmar’s generals are facing their biggest test since they seized power in a 2021 coup after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive in late October, capturing some towns and military posts and forcing soldiers to flee.

With just two days to go for the grand consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the magnificent abode of Lord Ram Lalla is gearing up for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony that will imbibe the idol with divine consciousness.

A video posted on X by DD News gives an exclusive look inside the splendid temple. The video shows the footsteps of the grand marble structure awash with light as its pillars and columns are decorated with bouquets of flowers. Inside the temple, workers on ladders are seen hanging multi-coloured flower garlands from the ceiling. 

#DDNews Exclusive sneak peek inside the magnificent Ram Temple!
The craftsmanship is awe-inspiring, a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage. @PMOIndia @ShriRamTeerth @UPGovt @tourismgoi @MinOfCultureGoI @tapasjournalist#Ayodhya #AyodhyaRamTemple #RamTemple… pic.twitter.com/FyaMm4FGrv

— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 20, 2024

“Exclusive sneak peek inside the magnificent Ram Temple! The craftsmanship is awe-inspiring, a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage,” the caption read.

The consecration ceremony will begin at 12.30 pm on January 22. The event will be the culmination of a week of rituals performed at the temple to ready it for the Pran Pratishtha. A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the ceremony.

At the centre of the rituals, placed inside the sanctum sanctorum, is the 51-inch idol of Lord Ram Lalla idol, a depiction of Lord Ram at the age of five years. The idol was carved out of black stone by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj. The complete look of the idol was unveiled on Friday which showed the deity’s face as well as a golden bow and arrow.

The grand event will be attended by Prime Minister Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Aditynath among dozens other dignitaries. Businessman Mukesh Ambani, megastar Amitabh Bachchan and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar are also among the 8,000 guests invited for the ceremony.

Government offices, boards and corporations in several states have declared a half day or a holiday on January 22.

The man responsible for actor Rashmika Mandanna’s deepfake video was arrested today, Delhi police said. 

Details to follow.