A woman milk seller was raped by two Burmese nationals on 25 October in a block between Rangvamual and Hunthar in Aizawl, Mizoram northeast state of India.

The woman was dragged into the woods and raped by the two Burmese. Though they fled, the police arrested them the next day.

The two Burmese have been identified as Lalchawiliana (19) and Vanlalpekmuana (18) from Letpanchaung village in Kalemyo, Sagaing division in Burma. Both were living in Rangvamual block in Aizawl.

“After selling milk and eggs, I was going home when two men dragged me into the woods. It was about 5 pm. They took me to a tent in the woods. They tore my dress and raped me,” the woman told a local newspaper.

The Burmese community in Mizoram is upset at the incident.

“Such criminal activity has to be stopped and exemplary punishment handed out as per law to the culprits. We too have a responsibility to prevent such incidents,” said a Chin Church leader in Aizawl.

Some Burmese nationals are becoming involved in different kind of crimes like smuggling of arms and drugs. These are affecting the community and the relationship between the Burmese and Mizo people on both social and economic fronts.

Burmese people in Mizoram are into various trades and many brew local alcohol for their livelihood.