Digital Desk: Mizoram CM Zoramthanga announced on Tuesday that over 24,000 Myanmar nationals had taken shelter in the state after a military takeover in Myanmar.
According to government statistics, as of February 12, 2022, 24,289 Myanmarese individuals have taken shelter in Mizoram, CM Zoramthanga added.
Due to ongoing clashes in Myanmar's neighbouring country, particularly in Chin state, the number of Myanmar nationals migrating to the northeastern state has increased recently.
On humanitarian grounds, the state government, NGOs, churches, student organizations, and village authorities provide food, shelter, and other types of support to Myanmarese nationals, according to Zoramthanga.
Further, Zoramthanga stated that the state government has appealed to the Central government to assist the displaced citizens, but the Central government cannot do so as India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees.
"The Centre helps us, and we help Myanmar nationals," the chief minister said, adding that his government has requested additional assistance. He further stated that the state government guarantees that the displaced Myanmar people do not suffer any difficulties.
Meanwhile, state Home Minister Lalchamliana told the state legislature that the state government has already provided Rs. 380 lakhs to help them.
In a written response, Lalchamliana stated, "The money is being used for the construction of relief camps, distribution of food, drinking water, and clothes, electrification, medical help, and sanitation facilities, among other things."
According to him, the fled Myanmar nationals sought refuge in all 11 districts of the state, with Siaha district sheltering the highest number of refugees of 8,381, followed by Champhai with 5,925, and Lawngtlai district hosting the least 5,409 refugees. The district of Kolasib, in the northern region of the state bordering Assam, has the fewest number of refugees of 135.
A total of 143 aid camps have been established around the state. According to the most recent government data, 499 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Aizawl area. He claimed that out of 24,289 Myanmar nationals, 9,033 had been placed in relief camps and the remaining 15,256 live elsewhere.
Notably, Myanmar and Mizoram share a 510-kilometre boundary. Following the Myanmar military's seizure of power on February 1 last year, an influx of migrants from the neighbouring country began. Most Myanmar people seeking refuge in Mizoram are from Chin state, which shares ethnic ties with the Mizos.
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