Mizoram awaits Centre’s directive on Myanmar’s refugees

The Mizoram government has refused to provide details or numbers of Myanmar citizens seeking asylum after the coup in the neighboring country.

The government is also awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on how to handle foreign nationals who fled for fear of military action. The army of Tatmadaw, or Myanmar, occupied the country after the coup in February.

“There is no proper directive from the center, and it is not fair. I am ready to help the people from the government on my own personal capacity and on humanitarian grounds, ”TJ Lalanungtlunga, Mizoram Minister for Environment and Transport, told Hindu on Tuesday.

He represents the Champai South Assembly constituency which has taken the brunt of the refugee crisis.

Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana refused to reduce the amount of refugees who have taken refuge in the border districts of Champai, Hanathiyal, Serchhip and Siyaha.

Also read: Myanmar refugees’ asylum process in Mizoram, rights group asks NHRC

“We are not officially disclosing the details and the number of people who came from Myanmar as the matter is connected to two neighboring countries. We have sent the details to the MHA, ”he said.

Locals said that since March 1, more than 100 Myanmar citizens have entered Mizoram, mostly across the shallow Tiau River that flows along the country’s 404-kilometer border with a coup-strewn country. Border district officials had initially placed some refugees in community halls, providing them with food and security.

But they have maintained silence over the whereabouts of the refugees. “The government has instructed us not to talk to the media,” said Champai Deputy Commissioner Maria Ct Zuley.

The China factor is said to be the reason behind the directive in India’s diplomatic relations with Myanmar, especially as Myanmar border officials hand over their Mizoram counterparts to at least eight police deserts to maintain relations between the two neighboring countries written. “.

Authorities in the state capital Aizawl said there had been no “fresh arrivals” since Monday evening. An official said that strict vigil on the border by Assam Rifles personnel was one of the reasons.

Border trade routes have been closed. A gate on the bridge connecting Chamahai in Myanmar and Zokhtar in Rih, for example, has been closed to keep some refugees out. Some people in Myanmar, possibly the authorities, used the bridge three days ago.

But officials said the area made it difficult to prevent people from entering the wooded parts of the border. Relations between Mizoram’s prominent Mizos and ethnically related Chin refugees have also come into vogue.

Locals said that members of Chin Palmi are helping the refugees to give shelter to the villages, distributing the load among relatives and colleagues. Chin Pavali Chin is an organization of people who have been living in Mizoram for decades for business and work.