Mizoram has begun a biometric enrollment drive for over 34,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh to accurately identify and document displaced individuals. The process started in Serchhip and Lunglei districts on July 30, and in Champhai on July 31. In Serchhip, 16 Myanmar refugees were enrolled during the initial session held at Chanmari. The drive, to be conducted twice a week and completed by September 22, includes special provisions for those temporarily away.

Officials have clarified that the initiative’s sole purpose is identification, not deportation. Serchhip district currently hosts 647 Myanmarese nationals and 266 Bangladeshis, while Lunglei has begun collecting data for nearly 2,000 Myanmar and over 70 Bangladeshi refugees. The project is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to manage and assist the sizable refugee population fleeing conflict and upheaval in neighboring countries.