Mizoram to collect biometric details of illegal migrants

A pilot exercise in this regard has reportedly begun at a refugee camp in Lunglei district.

After Manipur, the Mizoram government is now preparing to collect biometric details of “illegal migrants” in a special drive across the state, which shares a 510-km long border with Myanmar.

The move is a significant one since Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has consistently opposed the central government’s advice to deport the refugees from Myanmar, where a military coup in February 2021 had triggered an exodus of people of Kuki-Chin ethnicity to India.

A pilot exercise in this regard has reportedly begun at a refugee camp in Lunglei district.

In Manipur, the process for collection of biometrics of illegal immigrants from Myanmar began on July 29.

On the other hand, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has blamed “infiltrators” from Myanmar for the ongoing violence in the state and accused them of indulging in narco terrorism.

But the Manipur government has decided to stick to the MHA order and collect the biometrics of the refugees from Myanmar.

A National Crime Records Bureau team, has been deputed by the Union Home Ministry for training and handholding of state government officers, who are also assisting and guiding the biometric capture exercise.

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