Mizoram, Dec 15: Mizoram has received more than 15,000 refugees from the neighbouring country due to tensions in Mizoram, MNF’s Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena told parliament on Tuesday. He told the House that Myanmar nationals lived in different parts of Mizoram, according to a statement released by the state’s Information and Public Relations Department.
According to him, most of them are accommodated in 15 relief camps created by government and civil society organizations, but some are lodged by their relatives.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, churches, NGOs, political parties, and state governments are doing everything they can to provide shelter, food, clothing, and utensils. Furthermore, he said they send their children to government schools throughout the state.
The UN Refugee Committee of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol does not recognize India as a signatory to the 1951 refugee convention or the 1967 protocol.
However, he urged the Centre to provide assistance to Myanmar nationals. He had previously said that the Centre had assured him that it would take measures so that Mizoram can provide assistance to Myanmar refugees who had been displaced.
Also Read: Assam and Mizoram to increase border fencing
There are six districts in Mizoram that share an international border with Myanmar’s Chin state—Siaha, Champhai, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, and Serchhip.
Since late February, after the military junta seized power in Myanmar, the northeastern state has seen a massive influx of people from Myanmar. Myanmar nationals fleeing to Mizoram are mostly Chins, who are ethnically related to the Mizos and have ancestry with them.
Members of the Myanmar government have crossed over to India from Myanmar. The Myanmar national had written to PM Modi in March to urge him to grant them asylum.
C Lalrosanga, the Lok Sabha member representing that state, also met several Union ministers in mid-March to discuss the issue. In response, a delegation of Myanmar nationals in the state called in on Zoramthanga on Monday. A state government official assured them that they would continue to receive assistance.
