Mizoram gets Rs 8 crore central aid for over 43,000 refugees
Aizawl: The Mizoram government has secured Rs 8 crore in central funding to support over 43,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Myanmar, Manipur, and Bangladesh, Home Minister K. Sapdanga informed the state legislature on Tuesday.
Responding to a query from opposition MNF member Ramthanmawia, Sapdanga clarified that Rs 3 crore was allocated during the previous MNF regime, while the remaining Rs 5 crore was granted under the current government.
The initial funds were utilized for establishing refugee camps, providing essential aid, and offering legal assistance to Myanmar refugees. The remaining Rs 5 crore is earmarked for ongoing relief efforts.
As of August 13, Mizoram has sheltered 33,724 Myanmar refugees, primarily from Chin state, due to the 2021 military coup.
The state also hosts 7,999 IDPs from Manipur's ethnic clashes and 2,014 Bangladeshi refugees, mainly from the Bawm community, who fled alleged military operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Champhai district bears the brunt of the refugee influx, housing nearly 14,000 individuals. The ethnic and cultural affinity between Mizos and these displaced populations has prompted Mizoram to extend humanitarian aid.
