CM Zoramthanga on Tuesday claimed that over 24,000 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in the northeastern state, following a fatal conflict with the military junta.
As of February 12 this year, the chief minister notified the Assembly that 24,289 Myanmarese individuals have sought refuge in Mizoram, according to government statistics.
Due to ongoing clashes in the neighbouring country, particularly in Chin state, the number of Myanmar nationals migrating to the northeastern state has grown exponentially.
CM Zoramthanga Assures That The Myanmarese Would Not Suffer
On humanitarian grounds, the state government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), churches, student organizations, and village authorities have been providing food, shelter, and other types of support to Myanmarese nationals, according to CM Zoramthanga.
He said that the state administration has encouraged the central government to assist the displaced citizens, but its unable to go ahead with the same, as India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees.
“The Centre assists us and in turn we help the Myanmar nationals,” the chief minister said, adding that his government has sought more help.
He further stated that the state government is working to guarantee 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 released Rs. 380 lakhs to help them.
In a written response, the home minister stated, “The money are 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 housing the most (8,381), Champhai (5,925), and Lawngtlai district hosting the least (5,409).
The district of Kolasib, in the northern region of the state bordering Assam, has the fewest at 135. A total of 143 aid camps have been established around the state.
According to the latest government data, 499 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Aizawl area.
According to PTI report, Zoramthanga claimed that out of a total of 24,289 Myanmar nationals, 9,033 have been placed in relief camps and the remaining 15,256 live elsewhere.
Its worthy to note that 6 Mizoram districts – Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual – share a 510-km-long international border with Myanmar’s Chin state.
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