At least 236 refugees from Myanmar have entered and taken shelter in south Mizoram’s Lunglei and Assam border Kolasib districts during the last one week, state home department officials said. The officials said that district level committee on refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh in Lunglei district recorded 233 new entrants while 3 refugees have entered Kolasib district. Though there has been no official records, leaders of villages along the Mizoram-Myanmar border areas, especially in southern part of Champhai district said that some refugees were still trickling in after intense clashes near Halkha, the capital city of Chin state and Thantlang township during the past two weeks. According to the latest record there are 33,724 refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in the state with Champhai district hosting 13,966 refugees, followed by Siaha and Lawngtlai districts in southern part of the state having 5,953 and 5,922 refugees respectively.
The refugees comprise of 10,159 males, 10,800 females and 12,765 children. While there are 16,969 refugees are lodged in the 129 relief camps, 16,755 are staying with their relatives and friends or in rented houses. There are even a number of them including whole families being working under the local people in the jungle and cultivation areas. Meanwhile, the deadline for biometric enrollment of Myanmar refugees taking refuge in the state has been extended to December this year by the Ministry of Home Affairs as the format to be used for the biometric enrollment portal was found to be unsuitable. A state home department officials said that the biometric enrollment format sent by the MHA was to be used for those to be deported.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that no refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in Mizoram will be deported until and unless peace is completely restored in the neighbouring country ruled by the military junta.
+ There are no comments
Add yours