In Mizoram, the collection of biometric data from refugees has not yet commenced, said the Home Minister K Sapdanga. During a recent assembly session, Sapdanga informed that the state government is still negotiating with the Central authorities regarding this matter.
Responding to a question from opposition MLA Robert Romawia Royte of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Sapdanga revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs are ongoing. "We are in talks with the Centre about the biometric data collection process for refugees," he said.
As of August 13, the state government has recorded 33,724 refugees from Myanmar and 2,014 individuals from Bangladesh’s Zo ethnic group taking shelter in Mizoram. Additionally, 7,999 internally displaced persons from Manipur are also residing in the state.
The Myanmarese refugees, primarily from the Chin state, have been arriving in Mizoram since the military coup in February 2021. Meanwhile, the Bawm people from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts migrated to Mizoram in November 2022. The Kuki-Zo people from Manipur, who also have ethnic ties with the Mizos, began seeking refuge in Mizoram in May 2023 due to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.
Earlier, Chief Minister Lalduhoma had mentioned that a biometric enrollment portal is ready and will be used soon. This system was established based on recommendations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In April of the previous year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had instructed Mizoram and Manipur to capture biometric and biographic details of "illegal immigrants" within their borders. The Ministry had set a deadline for the end of September for this task and requested both states to prepare and implement a plan.
Although Mizoram began preparations by conducting training and appointing nodal officers, the Council of Ministers decided in September to postpone the biometric enrollment. This decision was influenced by the upcoming state assembly elections scheduled for November of that year.
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