New steps to deport ‘illegal’ refugees expected

AIZAWL: After the proposed deportation of over 200 Myanmarese refugees from Mizoram was deferred two days ago, the administration has taken up fresh initiative to repatriate them, state home minister said.

AIZAWL:After the proposed deportation of over 200 Myanmarese refugees from Mizoram were deferred two days ago, the administration has taken up fresh initiative to repatriate them, state home minister Lalchamliana said Monday.

A total of 219 Myanmarese refugees belonging to 54 families are staying in four villages of southernmost Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district since November 2017.

“The Centre instructed us to deport the foreigners who were in Lawngtlai district’s Hmawngbuchhuah village and even use force if necessary,” the minister said.

Lalchamliana said identification of the refugees was being conducted again as the figures given by the Lawngtlai district administration and the Assam Rifles authorities did not tally.

Inspector General of Police John Neihlaia said the government took firm stand on the issue of foreigners entering the state illegally and that stringent action would be taken against them.

The district administration on Saturday deferred the proposed repatriation of the refugees to Myanmar, Lawngtlai district officials said. They said a team of officials, policemen, NGO leaders and Assam Rifles personnel went to Hmawngbuchhuah village on Thursday to deport the refugees.

But inclement weather and the reluctance of the refugees who included women, children and elderly people compelled the officials to defer the repatriation.