The Mizoram government is contemplating the relocation of refugees scattered across the state to a single designated location, political adviser to the chief minister, Lalmuanpuia Punte revealed recently during a meet with media persons.
Punte, addressing officials in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai district on Thursday, cited the need for streamlined management of over 2,000 Bangladeshi refugees currently residing in the district.
“Proper guidelines should be formulated to prevent the refugees from settling and shifting anywhere they want,” he stated.
The proposed relocation seeks to concentrate refugees into four villages within Lawngtlai district for administrative ease and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance.
“The government is taking steps to relocate and bring the refugees together in one place rather than be scattered in different villages,” Punte added.
According to Deputy Commissioner Cheemala Siva Gopal Reddy, Lawngtlai district, which shares borders with both Myanmar and Bangladesh, is host to 6,030 refugees from Myanmar and 84 internally displaced persons from Manipur, besides the 2,014 Bangladeshi refugees from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The relocation plan has gained support from civil society organisations, including the influential Young Mizo Association (YMA), which has urged the state government to establish a systematic mechanism for housing and managing over 42,000 refugees and displaced persons.
The state Home Department reported that Mizoram presently shelters over 33,000 Myanmar nationals, including 12,572 children, across its 11 districts.
Additionally, 7,756 internally displaced persons from Manipur have sought refuge in the state.
The relocation initiative aims to address the growing humanitarian and administrative challenges posed by the influx of refugees.
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