Mizoram: No Myanmar refugees to be pushed back until normalcy returns in Myanmar, says CM Lalduhoma

CM Lalduhoma allayed apprehensions among the refugees regarding being pushed back once the Biometrics Identification comes into effect.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma today said that refugees from Myanmar who have taken shelter in the state will not be pushed back until the situation becomes normal in the conflict affected nation.

This he said while allaying apprehensions among the refugees regarding they being pushed back once the Biometrics Identification comes into effect.

The Mizoram Chief Minister spoke exclusively to Northeast Live and said “There is apprehension in the minds of the refugees that if these biometric identification is done, it means they are going to be departed. That fear was discussed with the Home Minister.

The Union Home Minister has given me an assurance that they will not be pushed back until and unless normalcy returns to their country. That assurance is given by the Home Minister and today also as the Chief Minister I give that assurance to the refugees, they will stay with us as long as necessary and that they should have any apprehension.”

Wrapping up his Delhi visit after meeting central leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Aizawl this afternoon and spoke on his purpose of visit at length.

Issues such as border fencing along the International Boundary with Myanmar, status of Myanmar refugees in Mizoram had topped the agenda of his meetings in the national capital.

CM Laldhoma informed that the Centre has made full assurance to him and extend a helping hand in terms of providing necessary relief to the refugees.

Regarding this Lalduhoma said, “In reality they are refugees but officially they cannot be termed as refugees. But in any case we have to do some relief measures on humanitarian grounds and for that the Government of India is open, so far as relief measures are concerned.

This Biometric Identification is to be given only to those refugees from Myanmar and not to the people coming from Manipur because these people are our own citizens, the people coming from Myanmar are foreigners. Therefore they have to be identified and this is going to be applied not only in Mizoram but throughout the country. This is going to be introduced.”

On January 4 Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his office, where the latter assured him that no Myanmar refugees will be sent back until normalcy returns to their country.

The Union Home Minister also apprised the Chief Minister that it is the rule in India to conduct biometric registration for foreigners residing in the country.

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