Mizoram to collect biometric data of over 33k Myanmar refugees

Aizawl: The Mizoram govt is preparing to collect biometric data of over 33,000 Myanmar refugees taking shelter in the state, following rectification of the biometric enrollment portal by the ministry of home affairs (MHA), a senior state home department official said on Sunday.

The official said that a video conference had been held on Friday with MHA officials to finalise the details of the biometric enrolment exercise. The official further said the Centre's instruction had been put on hold by the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) govt in 2023 due to the impending state assembly elections.

"We could not go ahead with the biometric enrollment as the format provided by the MHA was designed for illegal migrants who are to be deported, while the refugees from Myanmar are classified as displaced people, not illegal migrants," the official said.

Following the MHA's debugging of the portal format, the state govt is now reportedly prepared to start the biometric enrolment of Myanmar nationals residing in the state, the official added.

According to the latest govt records, 33,023 displaced individuals from Myanmar are residing in Mizoram. Of these, 17,551 are accommodated in 125 relief camps, while 15,472 are staying with relatives, friends or in rented accommodations. The demographic breakdown of the displaced population includes 12,361 children, 10,416 females and 10,246 males. Champhai district currently hosts the highest number of refugees at 13,586, followed by Lawngtlai and Siaha districts in southern Mizoram, with 6,017 and 4,976 Myanmar nationals respectively. Aizawl district hosts 3,716 displaced individuals, while Kolasib district, bordering Assam, has the lowest number at 129.

Home department officials indicated that they have received instructions from the central govt to collect biometric data of all displaced people from Myanmar, who are currently seeking shelter in the state.