Aizawl, Dec 31: As the extended deadline from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) draws to a close, the Mizoram government has yet to begin the biometric enrolment of over 30,000 Myanmar refugees currently taking shelter in the state.

The delay stems from a significant issue—the MHA-provided forms are deemed unsuitable. According to an official, “The forms are designed for illegal immigrants slated for deportation, not for refugees fleeing conflict.”

As of December 18, the refugee population in Mizoram had decreased from over 34,000 to 32,794. Of this, 16,892 refugees are accommodated in 127 relief camps across seven districts, while 15,902 live in the camps.

The official further emphasized that using these forms would contradict assurances made earlier this year by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

The state government returned the MHA forms months ago, citing their inappropriateness for the exercise, but the central government has not communicated with them again.

Read: Human trafficking ring through Assam-Meghalaya: Delhi Police uncover Bangladesh-India network

WATCH:

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub