Refugee issue discussed

Central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) and leaders of Global Chin (Falam) Organization from the US, Switzerland and Singapore on Monday discussed about the plights of the refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in Mizoram, sources in the YMA said. The sources said that the discussion also revolved around the unity and brotherhood of all the ethnic Mizos residing in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh as well as the increasing drug trafficking from Myanmar to the state. The Global Chin Organization handed over Rs 2 lakh to the YMA leaders as humanitarian aid to the refugees taking shelter in the state. There are over 31,000 refugees in the state from Myanmar who fled the countryfollowing military coup in February 2021 and subsequent crackdown on anti-coup protestors followed by civil war in the neighbouring country.

Meanwhile, central committee of the YMA last week issued a press release appealing to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh and internally displaced people from Manipur state taking shelter in Mizoram to adhere to the Indian laws and the way of life of the society in the state.  According to official record, there are over 42,000 refugees from the two countries and IDPs from the neighbouring state taking shelter in the state at present. The press statement also asked the refugees not to break the laws of the land as well as social practices of their adopted home. They are also asked not to involve in clandestine drug trafficking and stay in the state as good citizens.

“As foreigners cannot own land without prior permission and approval of the government, the refugees should not ask the YMA leaders of all the villages and branches in the urban areas for recommendation,” the statement said. The YMA also warned the refugees and IDPs not to indulge in renting houses or shops by offering higher rents, resulting in rendering of local people their rented homes or shops.  Making clear that though refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are their own blood and ethnic Mizos, they are foreigners, the central committee of YMA said that they are not allowed to have Indian identity cards like aadhaar card, voters’ identity card, Indian driving licence, scheduled tribe certificate, residential certificate, birth certificate and vehicle registration.

The YMA also appealed to the refugees to cooperate and coordinate with the authorities and the society in combating the drug menace and the fight to end drug trafficking, especially from Myanamar. It also appealed to the branches, groups and district YMA leaders to keep a close watch on the refugees and render help whenever they need as they are ‘our brothers and sisters’