AIZAWL, Dec 30: The Mizoram government has yet to initiate the biometric enrolment process for over 30,000 Myanmar refugees residing in the state, despite the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extending the deadline for enrolment to the end of this month. The delay is primarily due to the improper format of the forms provided by the MHA, which were originally intended for deporting illegal foreign nationals rather than collecting biometric data from refugees.
According to officials in the Mizoram home department, the forms issued by the MHA are unsuitable for the enrolment process, as they were designed for use in deportation procedures, not for refugees from Myanmar. A senior home department official confirmed that using these forms would contradict assurances given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma earlier this year. Shah had pledged that no Myanmar refugees in Mizoram would face deportation until peace is restored in their home country.
The state government had returned the MHA’s forms months ago, citing their inappropriateness for the situation. However, the central government has not yet issued revised forms or provided further guidance. In the meantime, Mizoram authorities have already collected biographic data, including profiles of nearly all refugees, even those who have returned to Myanmar. Despite this progress, the issuance of temporary identity cards for a small number of refugees is still pending.
Official data indicates that Mizoram is currently hosting 32,794 Myanmar refugees. Among them, 16,892 are living in 127 relief camps across seven districts, while 15,902 refugees reside outside the camps. The refugee population includes 10,002 males, 10,340 females, and 12,452 children.
The delay in the biometric enrolment process raises concerns regarding the refugees’ access to essential services and their long-term documentation. Authorities are awaiting further instructions from the central government to proceed with the enrolment process.
