Mizoram, March 20: Mizoram urged the Centre not to send back Myanmar nationals who have taken refuge in the northeastern state in the wake of civil uprising following the military coup in the neighbouring country last month, an official said.
The development came days after a Mizoram MP informed the parliament that over 300 Myanmar nationals have crossed over to Mizoram following the military coup and also urged the Centre to change its foreign policy towards Myanmar and not send back the Myanmar nationals who have taken refuge in India.
A the behest of chief minister Zoramthanga, a delegation from Mizoram comprising two each of MPs from the state and ruling party Mizo National Front (MNF) called on Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai at the national capital on Friday on an issue related to the escaped Myanmar nationals in Mizoram, the official said.
The delegation emphasised the pressing need to extend necessary help and support to Myanmar nationals, who have become victims of atrocities and military highhandedness since the military junta had taken power in the neighbouring country on February 1, he said.
The team, which comprised of Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga, Rajya Sabha member K. Vanlalvena, MNF leader and state planning board vice-chairman H. Rammawi and MNF party adviser Rosangzuala also urged the Centre not to deport the Myanmar nationals, who have crossed over to India due to the humanitarian crisis, as sending them back is impossible until normalcy returns in the South East Asian country.
It urged the Centre to provide relief and other humanitarian aids to the Myanmar nationals in Mizoram, the official said.
The delegation further told Rai that India should take a pro-active role and raise a stronger voice in support of people fighting for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
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The delegation, meanwhile, apprised the union minister of the measures taken by the state government and readiness of ground preparation with necessary amenities at Zokhawsang for the relocation of Assam Rifles.
It urged the Home Ministry to initiate formalities for the Assam Rifles to begin shifting to their new location at Zokhawsang on the outskirts of Aizawl.
Earlier on Tuesday K. Vanlalvena informed the parliament that more than 300 Myanmar nationals, including 150 police personnel, have already crossed over to Mizoram seeking refuge in the state.
He urged the Centre to review and change its foreign policy towards Myanmar refugees and give them shelter in India saying “sending them back to their country would mean killing them.”
Citing that it is not possible to deport Myanmar national until normalcy returns in their country, the MP said, “It will not go down well with people of Mizoram if the Centre insists on deporting the refugees who belong to Mizo ethnic tribe.”
He had also urged the Centre to extend supports to the Myanmar people to restore democracy in the neighbouring country.
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On March 10, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) wrote to chief secretaries of four Northeastern states – Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh – asking them to take appropriate action as per law to check the influx of people from Myanmar.
The Home Ministry also asked the Border States to identify illegal migrants and take immediate measure for their deportation.
