The Mizoram government is set to launch a comprehensive biometric and demographic data collection drive covering more than 35,000 displaced people currently living across the state. The initiative is expected to commence in the last part of July, officials from the state Home Department confirmed on Sunday.
The drive will target all Myanmar nationals who have sought refuge in Mizoram, especially those who fled the country following the military crackdown and armed conflict involving Chin armed groups in 2021. Most of the refugees belong to the Chin ethnic community, which shares strong historical and cultural ties with the Mizos.
According to a senior official overseeing the programme, the data enrolment will be conducted online using the Foreigner Identification Portal, with the initial phase focused on towns and villages that have reliable internet connectivity. “In areas with poor or no internet, we are considering offline modes of enrolment to ensure no one is left out,” the official said.
The state government has earmarked ₹38 lakh for the initial implementation of the biometric registration drive, with financial support from the central government. “Additional funds will be sought if the need arises, depending on field-level challenges,” the official added.
The exercise will be executed by the district administrations, with each unit being led by their respective Deputy Commissioners. To ensure smooth and efficient implementation, the state will provide all necessary technical equipment and manpower to the district teams.
Officials confirmed that the Champhai district, located on Mizoram’s eastern border with Myanmar, is currently hosting the largest number of Myanmar refugees. Other districts with significant refugee populations include Siaha, Hnahthial, and Lawngtlai. The bulk of the refugees have been residing in relief camps and host communities since 2021, with many depending on local support and limited government aid.
While the data collection initiative is intended primarily for administrative clarity and resource planning, it is also seen as a step toward enhancing humanitarian assistance, ensuring security, and avoiding duplication in welfare schemes. Officials emphasised that the data would be used only for official purposes and would not affect the state’s ongoing humanitarian assistance.
Mizoram has consistently taken a sympathetic and culturally rooted approach toward the refugees, with both civil society and the state leadership expressing solidarity with the Chin community. The state government, despite limited resources, has extended educational, healthcare, and livelihood support to refugees since their arrival.
