Authorities in Mizoram have so far collected biometric details of more than 12,000 refugees from Myanmar, accounting for nearly 39 percent of the estimated 31,300 displaced people who fled to the state following the 2021 military coup. The exercise is part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to register all foreign nationals residing in India.

According to the Mizoram Home Department, the biometric enrolment drive began in Serchhip district on July 30 and has since been extended to other districts. The data is being collected through the Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrolment System, a centralized mechanism for documenting foreign nationals.
Before the rollout, the state government conducted training sessions for district officials to ensure accuracy and consistency in the data collection process.

Slow progress due to technical Hurdles

Officials have acknowledged that the pace of the exercise has been slower than expected, mainly because of technical difficulties and poor internet connectivity in Mizoram’s remote and hilly terrain.

Despite these setbacks, district administrations have continued the enrolment work with assistance from Village Councils and civil society organizations, particularly the Young Mizo Association (YMA), which has played a key role in mobilizing refugees for registration.

The registration process includes both biometric and biographical details, such as names, addresses, parentage, and employment history — both in Myanmar and Mizoram.

Officials said that while collecting data from refugees in designated relief camps has been relatively straightforward, reaching those staying with relatives or in rented homes across hundreds of villages has proven to be a major logistical challenge.

Refugees from Bangladesh’s CHT also registered

In addition to Myanmar nationals, Mizoram is hosting around 3,000 migrants from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), many of whom fled ethnic violence.
Most of these refugees, primarily from the Bawm community, are residing in Lawngtlai district, with smaller groups settled in Lunglei and Serchhip.

Mizoram’s 510-km porous border with Myanmar and 318-km boundary with Bangladesh have made it a key entry point for displaced communities from both countries.

The Myanmar refugees, largely belonging to the Chin ethnic group, share close linguistic and cultural ties with the Mizo population. Similarly, the Bawm tribals from Bangladesh have comparable ethnic and cultural affinities with local communities.

Thousands still living in camps and villages

Since the February 2021 military coup in Myanmar, thousands of civilians — including women and children — have sought refuge in Mizoram. Many continue to live in temporary camps, rented accommodations, or with host families across all 11 districts of the state.

Officials said the ongoing biometric drive aims to bring greater transparency and accountability in tracking and assisting these refugees, while also helping the Centre monitor cross-border movement and ensure better coordination in humanitarian efforts.

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