Mizoram has begun large-scale biometric registration of Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees, covering over 66% of Myanmar nationals and 14% of Bangladeshi migrants. The drive aims to streamline documentation amid technical challenges and rising cross-border refugee inflows since 2021.
Mizoram’s district administrations have intensified the biometric registration of thousands of refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, marking a significant step toward documenting one of the largest refugee inflows the state has witnessed in recent years. According to the Mizoram Home Department, officials have so far recorded biometric details of around 66 per cent of the estimated 31,000 Myanmar refugees who entered the state following the military coup in February 2021.
An official said that biometric data of approximately 20,335 Myanmar nationals have been collected across the state’s 11 districts. The massive enrollment effort aims to streamline records, strengthen monitoring, and ensure better coordination of relief measures. Similarly, the biometric details of around 14 per cent of the 2,375 Bangladeshi refugees—mostly from the Chittagong Hill Tracts—have also been recorded so far.
The biometric registration was launched based on the advisory of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and is being carried out through the Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrollment System, which integrates facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and digital documentation of personal information.
Serchhip First to Begin the Drive
Among Mizoram’s 11 districts, Serchhip was the first to initiate the biometric drive on July 30. Following this, 10 other districts began their enrollment processes in phases. Officials stated that the drive is being implemented in both designated refugee camps and non-camp locations across numerous remote villages.
However, the process has not been free of challenges. Authorities report technical glitches, frequent system slowdowns, and poor internet connectivity, especially in mountainous interior regions. These disruptions have slowed progress, although district teams have been instructed to continue the process steadily.
“Collecting biometric data from refugees living in organized camps is relatively smooth. The main difficulty arises when refugees are scattered across relatives’ homes and rented accommodations in far-flung villages,” a Home Department official noted.
Role of Village Councils and Civil Society
To overcome logistical obstacles, district authorities have sought the cooperation of village councils and local organisations, particularly the influential Young Mizo Association (YMA). These bodies are helping locate unregistered refugees, coordinate transport, and encourage compliance with enrollment procedures.
The biometric drive includes not only physical data but also biographical details, such as names, previous addresses, marital status, parental information, and any employment history—either in Myanmar or during their stay in Mizoram. Prior to the launch of the drive, the state government conducted specialised training for district-level officers to ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection.
Refugee Influx Since 2021
Since the Myanmar military seized power in February 2021, large numbers of civilians—mostly from the Chin state—have crossed into Mizoram seeking safety. The refugees include women, children, elderly persons, and community leaders. Their numbers have steadily risen to nearly 31,000 over the past three years due to ongoing violence, instability, and targeted persecution.
The Chin people share close ethnic, cultural, and linguistic ties with the Mizo community, which has contributed to strong local support for refugees despite limited state resources. Community-led initiatives have played a significant role in shelter, food assistance, and informal employment arrangements.
Bangladeshi Bawm Community Also Taking Shelter
In addition to the influx from Myanmar, Mizoram is also hosting around 2,375 refugees from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). Most of them belong to the Bawm (or Bawmzo) tribal community, who fled their villages following military operations and ethnic tensions in the region.
Currently, more than 2,000 Bawm refugees reside in Lawngtlai district, which borders both Myanmar and Bangladesh. Others are settled in Lunglei and Serchhip districts. Like the Chin community, the Bawm people also share cultural similarities with the Mizos, which has contributed to community acceptance and support.
Unfenced Borders and Security Concerns
Mizoram shares a 510-km border with Myanmar and a 318-km border with Bangladesh, both of which remain unfenced due to difficult terrain and longstanding cross-border tribal ties. These porous borders have made refugee movement easier but have also posed challenges for monitoring and documentation.
The state has also sheltered several thousand displaced tribal families from Manipur following the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023, further adding to the administrative burden.
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The ongoing biometric registration marks a crucial step toward establishing an organised refugee database, enabling better planning for humanitarian support and enhancing internal security coordination.
