Myanmar nationals detained at Sajiwa Prison in Imphal, Manipur, India, are on a hunger strike demanding their release. Fifty-two Myanmar male nationals detained at Sajiwa Prison in Imphal have been on a hunger strike since August 26.

‘They have stopped taking the food provided by the prison and are shouting slogans. It is understood that they plan to meet with the prison authorities to present their demands,’ said a family member.

The protesters have been shouting slogans in the morning and evening, saying, ‘We want to be released from here,’ ‘We have families to take care of,’ and ‘Release us from Sajiwa Prison.’ The family members of the detainees said that if they meet with the prison authorities, they will demand immediate release, request a meeting with UNHCR officials, and ask to be relocated to a safer place such as Mizoram or other areas where their community resides if they are to be further detained.

The current hunger strikers were arrested near Moreh town in Manipur State in January 2023. They are Kukis (Chin) who fled from Myanmar due to military conflict.

In May 2023, ethnic violence and clashes broke out in Manipur State over ethnic classification issues between the Meitei, who make up 53% of the population, and the Kuki-Zo, who constitute 15% of the population, leading to communal tensions and violent incidents.

Since the outbreak of such ethnic conflicts, Myanmar nationals of Kuki (Chin) ethnicity detained in Imphal prison have been denied prison visits, according to family members.

‘They are even having to repair their shoes using string and metal wires. Their clothes are worn out,’ one family member said.

Therefore, the families are requesting that if their loved ones are not released but continue to be detained, they should be relocated to a place where family visits are possible.

On December 16, 2023, 36 Myanmar detainees at Imphal prison, having completed their sentences, protested continued detention. The protest was violently suppressed on December 18.

On June 16, 2024, male Myanmar detainees at the prison began a hunger strike. The prison authorities agreed to report their requests to the central government, leading to the protest being called off on July 3. However, as of now, there has been no sign of release from the prison authorities or any response from the central government, prompting the renewed protest.

On May 2, 39 women and children, and on June 11, 38 detainees, including 18 women and children, were transferred from Imphal prison via Moreh town in Manipur to Tamu, Sagaing Region, according to the Chief Minister’s social media announcements.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the Burma Refugees Committee–Kabaw Valley (BRCK), and India for Myanmar have called for a halt to the forced repatriation of detained Myanmar nationals in Manipur without their consent.”