India, July 13 -- The refugees from Myanmar sheltered in Mizoram have started returning to their villages following the withdrawal of the Chinland National Defence Force (CNDF) from Zokhawthar and Rihkhawdar in the conflict-hit nation, officials said on Sunday.

Over 2,500 refugees from Zokhawthar, Rihkhawdar, and nearby areas have returned to their country over the weekend, they said.

An intense fight for control of areas by the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) - two factions of the rebel forces that are fighting the Myanmar military junta- since early July had led to over 5,000 refugees fleeing to India with reports of some of them dying during the trek.

Saiawia, the officer on duty at Zokhawthar police ...