AIZAWL: Two days after passing a resolution against Centre’s scrapping of FMR with Myanmar on Wednesday, Mizoram has refused to collect biometric information of refugees from the country and Bangladesh, citing concerns over their potential deportation.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma declared the state’s stance, adding that the Centre had previously asked the state to register biometric identification of refugees but the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government had discontinued the process last September.
“During my discussion with the Union Home Minister in January, I apprised him of our concerns regarding the utilisation of the existing portal, primarily designated for the deportation of illegal immigrants, for the purpose of gathering biometric information from refugees,” Laladuhoma said, while replying to a query posed by opposition MNF member Robert Romawia Royte, on Thursday.
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Furthermore, Lalduhoma highlighted the state’s efforts in providing assistance to refugees and IDPs using its own resources, alongside continued support from the Centre.
Notably, during the MNF administration, the Centre allocated Rs 3 crore to aid in refugee relief efforts, with ongoing assistance to the current government.
According to the state’s Home Department, Mizoram currently shelters 32,221 refugees from Myanmar, predominantly in Champhai district, while Lawngtlai district harbours 1,167 Bangladeshi nationals.
Additionally, over 9,000 internally displaced people from Mizoram are accommodated within the state.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma has been consistently stressing that the current border demarcation between Mizoram and Myanmar was imposed by the British without local consent, underscoring the necessity for reconsideration.
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He has also reiterated Mizoram’s open-arms policy towards Myanmar refugees, especially those of the Chin-Zo ethnic tribe, who share deep ethnic and cultural bonds with Mizos.
Earlier on February 28, Mizoram Assembly passed a resolution against the Centre’s move to fence the India-Myanmar border and abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar.
In the resolution presented by Home Minister K Sapdanga, the Assembly urged the Centre to reconsider its decision, citing historical and cultural ties of the Zo ethnic community.
