Aizael, Sept 28: Mizoram’s Council of Ministers has opted not to proceed with the collection of biometric and biographic data from Myanmar refugees currently seeking shelter within the state. This decision comes in response to instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) urging the Mizoram government to gather this information.
Lalruatkima, the Minister for Information and Public Relations in Mizoram made the announcement after the council’s meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office. Despite the state’s concerns and appeals to the MHA, the central government insisted on collecting the data.
Lalruatkima emphasized that collecting biometric and biographic data from Myanmar refugees would amount to discrimination against individuals who share a common cultural and ethnic background with the Mizoram residents.
Since India is not a signatory to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the related protocol, refugees from neighboring countries cannot be granted official refugee status in Mizoram.
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Despite this, the Mizoram government has allowed these refugees to seek shelter within the state and has provided them with essential humanitarian assistance and healthcare. Thousands of refugee students have been enrolled in schools, receiving free textbooks, uniforms, and midday meals, just like their Mizoram counterparts.
In addition to the decision regarding biometric data collection, the Council of Ministers also approved the Mizoram Journalists’ Pension Scheme for 2023. They also discussed proposals related to school category upgrades, revisions in lump sum Grants-in-Aid rates, provisional Adhoc GIA, and school provincialization.
This council meeting is likely the final one before the announcement of elections for the 40-member state legislative assembly, expected to be conducted by the Election Commission of India in the upcoming week or in the second week of October.
