Mizoram State prohibits assistance for Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees in obtaining Indian identification cards

The Aizawl District administration of Mizoram State warned civil society groups, local councils, and village authorities, against providing assistance to the 33,505 refugees from Myanmar and the 2,217 from Bangladesh – who have taken temporary shelter in the state – in obtaining Indian identification documents. 

“We have entrusted the task to respective district collectors affected by [the] refugee influx to look into the matter. However, the home department is tracking the issue,” Vanlalmawia, the Mizoram State home secretary, told the Hindustan Times newspaper. He added that his ministry is seeking assistance from New Delhi in order to prevent immigrants and refugees from acquiring Indian identity documents.