Mizoram to Begin Biometric Data Collection of 32,000 Myanmar Refugees

Mizoram is preparing to collect biometric and demographic data of over 32,000 Myanmar refugees across its 11 districts. State officials clarified the process aims only to identify refugees, not for deportation. Districts are training staff and setting up equipment for the enrollment. Aizawl district alone hosts about 3,000 refugees, though exact numbers fluctuate as many cross the border frequently. Mizoram also shelters 2,371 Bangladeshi nationals from the Chittagong Hill Tracts and 7,354 displaced Zo people from Manipur. Most Myanmar refugees are from Chin State, having fled after the 2021 military coup, and share ethnic ties with the local Mizo population.