Mizoram nears completion of biometric enrolment for Myanmar refugees

Mizoram officials report that the biometric enrolment of Myanmar refugees is nearing completion. Out of 29,575 identified refugees, biometric data has been collected for 29,251 individuals, representing a 98.9% coverage rate.

Eight of the state's 11 districts have finished the exercise, which launched in late July last year. While most districts are complete, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, and Serchhip are still in progress. In Lawngtlai, which holds the state's second-largest refugee population, 95.67% of Myanmar refugees have been enrolled. Additionally, the district has completed the enrolment of 1,679 refugees from Bangladesh.

Officials cited difficult terrain, vast geographical areas, and remote settlements along the Myanmar and Bangladesh borders as primary logistical challenges. The pace in certain districts has also been affected by the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which has diverted administrative personnel.