'Mizoram to sustain assistance to Myanmar refugees and Manipur displaced', CM Lalduhoma announces

In a press conference upon his return from Delhi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma declared the state's commitment to providing ongoing assistance to refugees from Myanmar and internally displaced individuals from Manipur, with collaboration from the Centre. Lalduhoma emphasized that although the Centre cannot grant refugee status to Myanmar nationals, it is prepared to work with Mizoram in offering relief.

More than 31,000 members of the Chin community from Myanmar sought refuge in Mizoram since February 2021, fleeing the aftermath of a military coup in their home country. Additionally, over 9,000 internally displaced people from Manipur have found shelter in Mizoram, reflecting the shared ethnic ties between the Chin community from Myanmar, the Kuki-Zo community from Manipur, and the Mizos.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Mizoram that the Centre will not deport Myanmar nationals who sought refuge in the state, conveying that this stance will persist until normalcy is restored in Myanmar. Lalduhoma also expressed hope for the cancellation of the Union government's plan to fence a portion of the India-Myanmar border, a move that aims to end the free movement regime along the unfenced boundary.