Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said today that the state is hosting around 40,000 displaced people from Myanmar, Manipur and Bangladesh, describing their presence as a significant financial and humanitarian challenge for the state.
Some return home even as others arrive. “Since India is not a signatory to the Refugee Protocol, we do not officially call them refugees. Because the Mizo people share ethnic and cultural ties across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, on border fencing, the Chief Minister said political parties and non-governmental organisations in Mizoram oppose the move.
Speaking to reporters, Lalduhoma said the displaced population fluctuates depending on the situation across the borders. We call them displaced people,” the Chief Minister said.
Lalduhoma also spoke about the financial challenges inherited by his government from the previous ministry.
He said the government had adopted austerity measures, including reducing facilities for ministers, legislators and officials, to clear outstanding committed liabilities. Only a few liabilities remain, and the government expects to clear them by the end of this year, according to the Chief Minister. Despite this, Lalduhoma said the state was receiving cooperation from the Central government in addressing its concerns.
