Biometric registration of Myanmar & Bangladeshi refugees underway in Mizoram

AIZAWL: Various district authorities in Mizoram have so far recorded the biometric details of around 66 per cent of the nearly 31,000 Myanmar refugees taking shelter in the Northeastern state after fleeing their country in different phases following the military coup in February 2021, officials said on Monday.

An official of the Mizoram Home Department said that biometric data of around 20,335 of around 31,000 refugees from Myanmar have been collected so far across 11 districts.

Similarly, the biometric details of around 14 per cent of the 2,375 Bangladeshi refugees was recorded so far in different districts.

On the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the biometric enrollment process has been underway through the Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrollment system.

Out of Mizoram's 11 districts, the Serchhip district administration first launched the biometric enrollment drive for the refugees on July 30, and subsequently, 10 other districts commenced the enrollment process.

According to the official, the electronic registration process has faced several hurdles, including technical glitches and poor internet connectivity in remote areas.

Despite these challenges, the district authorities have managed to continue the enrollment drive, though progress remains slow, he said.

Besides the Myanmar refugees, around 2,375 migrants from the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeastern Bangladesh have taken shelter in three districts of Mizoram over the past two years.

Most of the Bangladeshi refugees (around 2,000) are staying in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram, which borders both Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Tribal refugees from Bangladesh have also been accommodated in Lunglei and Serchhip districts.

Both the Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees are sheltered in designated camps, as well as in relatives' and rented houses across all 11 districts of mountainous Mizoram.

It is trouble-free to collect biometric details from refugees living in camps, but it is more challenging for those staying in relatives' and rented houses spread across hundreds of remote villages, the Home Affairs Department official said.

"To tackle this problem, the authorities concerned in the districts have sought the help of village councils and civil society organizations, especially the Young Mizo Association," he added. (IANS)

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