India Frees Myanmar Women and Children Held Illegally in Prison

India has released 27 Myanmar women and children who were unlawfully detained for up to two years after serving their sentences, following mounting pressure from rights groups.

The group—20 women and seven children—had been held in Sajiwa Prison in Imphal, Manipur State, since their 2022 arrest for entering India illegally. Although they had completed their sentences, authorities continued to detain them until their release on 21 March 2025.

Their freedom came after India for Myanmar, an advocacy group, and 160 Myanmar organisations applied pressure following the 10 March death of another Myanmar prisoner in the same jail. Salai Dokhar, the group’s founder, criticised India’s delayed response, stating the prisoners had been unjustly held long past their sentences.

It remains unclear how the freed detainees will be repatriated. In previous cases, India handed over released Myanmar nationals to the ruling junta in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region before they were allowed to return home on bail.

-2025-03-29