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Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
690 Myanmar refugees registered in Mizoram through biometrics: State minister
As many as 690 Myanmar refugees were registered through biometrics across 11 districts of Mizoram, state home minister K Sapdanga said. Mizoram is currently home to over 32,000 Myanmarese refugees. (HT sourced photo) The enrollment drive, which began on July 31, 2025, marks the state's first official effort to tag refugees from Myanmar through biometric identification. While minor technical glitches were reported in some locations, Sapdanga said the overall process has been smooth. 'We are still in the early phase. The biometric enrolment of Myanmar nationals will continue until every refugee is registered,' Sapdanga said on Tuesday. He also stated that once the process for Myanmarese refugees is completed, the state government will initiate enrolment for Bangladeshi refugees currently taking shelter in Mizoram. Also Read: Mizoram begins biometric enrolment drive for Myanmar refugees in Serchhip district Mizoram is currently home to over 32,000 Myanmarese refugees, many of whom belong to the Chin ethnic group that shares close cultural and historical ties with the Mizo people. The number fluctuates as individuals continue to cross the porous border amid ongoing unrest in Myanmar. The influx of refugees began following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar and has intensified due to continuing ethnic violence and armed conflict in the border regions. The Mizoram government had earlier rejected the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) original registration portal, citing concerns among refugees that it could lead to forced repatriation. Following recommendations from the state, the MHA agreed to establish a new portal for the enrolment process. In addition to Myanmarese nationals, Mizoram is also hosting refugees from Bangladesh and internally displaced persons from neighbouring Manipur.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mizoram launches urgent repair of key highways
1 2 Aizawl: In a strategic move, the Mizoram govt is seizing the opportunity presented by the suspension of commercial vehicle services from Monday to Saturday to conduct critical repairs on NH-306 and 06. These highways are vital links between Mizoram and the rest of India via Assam. Under the direct supervision of home minister K Sapdanga, who inspected the highways on Saturday, the state Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) are mobilizing manpower and machinery to execute the repairs with urgency starting Monday. Police are tasked with clearing all stranded vehicles, except 14-wheel trucks, by Sunday. From Monday to Wednesday, NH-306 and NH-06 will be closed to traffic, with only 407 trucks and smaller vehicles permitted on the Kawnpui-Serkhan-Durtlang (Aizawl) state highway, typically reserved for light motor vehicles and two-wheelers. Traffic Police from Aizawl and Assam's Kolasib district will oversee vehicle movement during this period. Additionally, Young Mizo Association (YMA) volunteers from local villages will assist the PWD and NHIDCL, with the state govt providing remuneration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The NHIDCL's Delhi headquarters announced a Rs 50 crore allocation to expedite repairs, complementing the state government's recent Rs 1 crore contribution. BR Goyal Infrastructure, an NHIDCL contractor, is spearheading the repair work on the Sairang-Khamrang and Buichali to Sairang sections, with support from the state PWD and senior engineers led by Superintending Engineer Eddie C. Zothansanga on-site. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mizo civil society groups urge refugees to refrain from drug smuggling
Aizawl, Mizoram civil society groups on Wednesday urged refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh and internally displaced people from Manipur taking shelter in Mizoram not to indulge in drug trafficking. Mizo civil society groups urge refugees to refrain from drug smuggling Mizoram has been grappling with the menace of drug smuggling, and a section of refugees, particularly Myanmar nationals, was blamed for their alleged involvement. The meeting of the NGO Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil societies and student organisations headed by the Central Young Mizo Association , appealed to the refugees and IDPs not to have ethnic or tribe centric interest and develop the feeling of separateness to disturb the vibrant Mizo unity, a statement issued by the group said. The meeting expressed regret over the report of ethnic feelings being developed by refugees and urged them not to take any steps which can undermine the unity of Mizo communities, the statement said. The meeting further urged people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur taking shelter in the state, to refrain from drug trafficking. Earlier, state home minister K Sapdanga had said that more than 50 per cent of criminal cases in recent times were linked to the refugees. According to the state home department, more than 32,000 Myanmar nationals are presently sheltering in different parts of Mizoram. The number, however, keeps changing almost daily as some refugees have the habit of going to their country and coming back to Mizoram repeatedly, officials said. The home department also said that 2,371 Bangladeshi nationals from the Chittagong Hill Tracts are currently staying in the state. In addition, more than 7,000 Zo ethnic people from Manipur displaced by ethnic violence since May 2023 have taken shelter in the state, it said. The Myanmar nationals, mostly from Chin state, fled to Mizoram following a military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021, while the asylum seekers from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts came to the state after a military offensive against an ethnic insurgent group in 2022. The Chins in Myanmar, the Bawm tribe from Bangladesh and the Kuki-Zo people from Manipur share close ethnic ties with the Mizos. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ZPM-guv ‘rift' over guv rule in CADC
Aizawl: The differences between the Mizoram governor and the ruling party in the state have come out in the open with the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) voicing support for the Mizoram council of ministers' decision urging the governor to revoke the recent imposition of governor's rule in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC). The ZPM's statement on Wednesday followed a press conference held on Tuesday when home minister K Sapdanga had addressed the issue of the CADC being placed under the governor's rule by governor Gen VK Singh on Monday. Citing provisions under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, particularly Paragraph 14, the ZPM explained that the governor may institute a commission to assess the functioning of autonomous district or regional councils. The findings of such a panel are to be presented to the state legislature along with the governor's recommendations. The ZPM stated that the decision of the council of ministers was consistent with democratic norms and the rightful process for upholding public representation.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Over 6,000 Myanmar nationals take refuge in Mizoram amid escalating Chin rebel clashes
More than 6,000 refugees from Myanmar have fled to Mizoram following fresh clashes between Chin pro-democracy groups, with civil society organisations now stepping in to mediate peace, state authorities said. People take out a rally in Agartala seeking deportation of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. (ANI) The fresh influx began after a June 5 shootout in Zokhawthar between two warring Chin factions — the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF). The violence continued on Monday when the Chin National Army retaliated with an assault on a CNDF stronghold at Rihli village, located just across the border from Mizoram's Saikhumphai village. 'Over 4,000 adult refugees have been registered by police in Zokhawthar in the past three days,' said Lalrawnkima, village council secretary of Zokhawthar. 'Since only those above 18 are registered, the total number with children could be well over 5,500. Every household here is hosting between 25 to 30 people, while others are being accommodated in community and church halls.' In Saikhumphai, over 700 more Myanmarese nationals have reportedly sought shelter following the attack at Rihli, according to a civil society leader from nearby Vaphai village. Mizoram home minister K Sapdanga stated that the state is committed to aiding those displaced by the conflict. 'The Mizoram government will do everything within its capacity to provide relief — not just because they are our ethnic kin, but out of sheer humanitarian responsibility,' Sapdanga said. He added that Lalmuanpuia Punte, political adviser to the chief minister, along with the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and various student bodies, are actively working to broker a ceasefire between the two factions. The CNDF and CDF — comprising fighters from the Zo ethnic community — are said to be embroiled in a power struggle over control of Khawmawi, a strategic border trade town between Mizoram and Myanmar. On June 5, the CNDF reportedly captured eight camps from the CDF, forcing them out of Khawmawi after intense fighting.
