Aizawl, Dec 8 (NationPress) Authorities across various districts in Mizoram have successfully documented the biometric information of approximately 66 percent of the nearly 31,000 Myanmar refugees currently residing in the Northeastern state. These refugees fled their homeland in multiple waves following the military coup that occurred in February 2021, as reported by officials on Monday.

An official from the Mizoram Home Department revealed that biometric records for around 20,335 of the 31,000 Myanmar refugees have been gathered across 11 districts.

In addition, biometric information for approximately 14 percent of the 2,375 Bangladeshi refugees has also been documented in various districts.

Following guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the biometric registration process is being conducted via the Foreigners Identification Portal and the Biometric Enrollment system.

The Serchhip district administration was the first to initiate the biometric enrollment drive on July 30, and subsequently, 10 additional districts began the process.

Despite facing challenges such as technical difficulties and limited internet access in remote regions, the district authorities have persevered with the enrollment initiative, although progress has been gradual, according to officials.

In addition to the Myanmar refugees, approximately 2,375 migrants from the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeastern Bangladesh have sought refuge in three districts of Mizoram over the last two years.

The majority of Bangladeshi refugees, estimated to be around 2,000, are residing in Lawngtlai district, which borders both Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Tribal refugees from Bangladesh have also found shelter in Lunglei and Serchhip districts.

Both Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees are housed in designated camps, as well as in the homes of relatives and rented accommodations throughout all 11 districts of the mountainous region of Mizoram.

While collecting biometric details from refugees in camps is relatively straightforward, it poses a significant challenge for those residing with relatives or in rented accommodations scattered across numerous remote villages, according to officials from the Home Affairs Department.

To address this issue, the district authorities have sought assistance from village councils and civil society organizations, particularly the Young Mizo Association.

The enrollment procedure not only collects biometric data but also gathers biographical information including names, addresses, parents' names, and employment history, both in Myanmar and Mizoram.

Prior to launching the biometric data collection, the Mizoram government provided comprehensive training to district officials on how to gather biometric and biographical data from the refugees.

Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, refugees, including women, children, and the elderly, have been entering Mizoram in search of safety, with numbers now nearing 31,000.

Members of the Bangladeshi Bawm community from the CHT have also been residing in Mizoram for over two years after fleeing ethnic violence sparked by a crackdown from the Bangladesh Army.

Most Myanmar refugees hail from the Chin state and share significant ethnic, traditional, and cultural ties with the predominant Mizo community in Mizoram.

The Bawm, also known as Bawmzo, are a smaller ethnic group primarily found in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, and they too share cultural affinities with the Mizos.

Myanmar's Chin state shares a 510 km mountainous border with six districts in Mizoram: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip, while three districts—Mamit, Lunglei, and Lawngtlai—share a 318 km border with Bangladesh.

There is no fencing along the mountainous international borders of Mizoram with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Mizoram has also provided refuge to a few thousand displaced tribal individuals following ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in neighboring Manipur in May 2023.