Mizoram MP seeks Centre's intervention in Myanmar crisis in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: In a bid to help those fleeing from crisis-hit Myanmar to the Northeastern state of Mizoram, Mizo National Front MP K Vanlalvena sought the Centre's intervention for the restoration of peace in Myanmar.

The Minister raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha in line with the recent Ministry of Home Affairs MHA directives that have instructed the four Northeastern states to block the entry of those fleeing from Myanmar.

The MP while stating that the refugees were coming to the Indian border escaping from Myanmar said that the state government and NGOs have helped those feeling in distress. He further urged the MHA to consider the plight of the people protesting against the military rule in Myanmar and relax its policy towards Myanmar refugees crossing over to India.

The MP later met Vice president Venkaiah Naidu and discussed the issue in detail. He sought the Centre's intervention for the restoration of peace in the crisis-hit Myanmar.

An official release said that raising the issue at the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Vanlalvena informed the House that over 300 Myanmar nationals who have crossed the border are currently taking shelter in Mizoram, of which about 150 are police personnel.

The release said that the state government and NGOs in Mizoram have been providing immediate help and shelter to these refugees.

Meanwhile, the MHA had recently given directions to the chief secretaries of four northeastern states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur -- sharing borders with Myanmar to stop the entry of Myanmar refugees. It also instructed Assam Rifles to seal the border and prevent entry from the neighbouring country, the release said.

However, Vanlalvena told the House that it would not go down well with the people in Mizoram if the Central government insists on deporting these refugees, who belong to the Mizo ethnic tribe, and it is not possible to deport them until the situation in Myanmar improves.

The military took over the elected government of Myanmar and detained the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, since then huge protests erupted nationwide. A year-long state of emergency was declared in Myanmar. The State Counsellor Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint were detained and State power was transferred to Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing by the military.

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