Mizoram Makes Significant Progress in Refugee Biometric Registration
The Mizoram government has achieved substantial progress in biometric enrollment for refugees from Myanmar. State home department officials confirmed on Sunday that nearly eighty-five percent of Myanmar refugees now have their biometric data recorded. This represents a major step forward in documenting the refugee population within Mizoram's borders.
Current Refugee Numbers and Enrollment Statistics
Officials provided detailed figures as of Thursday. A total of 29,514 refugees from Myanmar currently reside in Mizoram. By Friday, authorities had successfully enrolled 24,986 of these individuals. This translates to an enrollment rate of 84.66 percent. The refugee population shows daily fluctuations as people move in and out of the state.
The biometric enrollment covers refugees both inside and outside formal relief camps. Officials have registered 15,548 refugees living outside camps. They have also enrolled 9,424 refugees who reside within camp facilities. The collected data breaks down into specific demographic groups.
- Children: 10,622 enrolled
- Women: 7,572 enrolled
- Men: 6,792 enrolled
District-Level Enrollment Progress Varies Widely
Different districts show varying levels of completion in the enrollment process. District officials in Aizawl, Lunglei, and Serchhip have fully completed their biometric enrollment tasks. Champhai district presents an interesting case. This district shares a border with Myanmar and hosts the largest refugee population at 12,149 individuals. Despite this large number, Champhai has achieved an impressive 90.99 percent enrollment rate.
Lawngtlai district presents a different picture. Located in southern Mizoram, this district borders both Myanmar and Bangladesh. It currently hosts 6,017 refugees from Myanmar. Enrollment here has reached only 55.48 percent completion. Officials in Lawngtlai face additional challenges with refugees from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Refugee Enrollment Lags Behind
The enrollment situation for refugees from Bangladesh shows significantly slower progress. Officials report just over thirteen percent enrollment for this group. In Lawngtlai district specifically, authorities have not yet begun registering more than two thousand refugees from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts. This creates a clear disparity between the enrollment rates for Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees.
Current Security Situation and Refugee Movements
Despite ongoing clashes in Myanmar's Chin state, which adjoins Mizoram, no fresh influx of refugees has been reported this year. The military junta continues to face resistance from Chin armed groups in the border region. However, some refugee movements have occurred recently.
At least eighty-nine refugees from Falam township in Chin state have sought shelter in Vaphai village within Champhai district. These individuals arrived in late November last year and continue to receive assistance. The situation remains fluid along the border areas.
Mizoram officials continue their biometric enrollment efforts while monitoring border developments closely. The state government maintains its commitment to documenting all refugee populations within its territory, though progress varies significantly between different national groups and geographical districts.
