Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has voiced concern over the continuing influx of refugees from Myanmar, saying the prolonged conflict in the neighbouring country is placing growing humanitarian and administrative pressures on the state.
Speaking in Shillong, Lalduhoma said instability across the border has prompted thousands of people to seek refuge in Mizoram, and warned that the number could rise further if the situation in Myanmar worsens. He stressed that while the state has extended humanitarian assistance to those fleeing violence, managing the increasing population of displaced people remains a significant challenge.
The chief minister’s remarks come amid the Centre’s efforts to strengthen border management through fencing projects along sections of the India-Myanmar border. The issue has gained prominence as violence and political unrest in Myanmar continue to force civilians to leave their homes and cross into neighbouring countries.
Mizoram, which shares a 510-km border with Myanmar, has emerged as one of the primary destinations for those fleeing the conflict. Strong ethnic and cultural ties between communities on both sides of the border have contributed to the state’s willingness to accommodate displaced families despite limited resources.
According to official estimates, more than 40,000 Myanmar nationals have sought shelter in Mizoram since fighting intensified in the neighbouring country. To streamline relief efforts and maintain records, the state government has begun biometric registration of refugees living in camps and host communities across multiple districts.
The impact of the influx is particularly visible in border areas such as Zokhawthar, a village located near the international boundary. Once a small settlement with a population of fewer than 3,000 people, the village has become a major refuge point and is now hosting thousands of displaced persons. Local authorities say the surge has increased pressure on housing, healthcare, sanitation and other essential services.
State officials continue to assess the evolving situation, balancing humanitarian responsibilities with concerns over long-term resource management and border security. The issue is expected to remain a key challenge for Mizoram as uncertainty persists in Myanmar.
India shares a 1,643-km border with Myanmar through the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, making developments across the frontier a matter of strategic and humanitarian significance.
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