Mizoram won't accept deportation of Myanmar refugees: CM Zoramthanga

Citing humanitarian grounds, the Chief Minister moved Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter

AIZAWL: Following the military coup in Myanmar and the subsequent influx of Myanmarese refugees into India, the Indian Government has stepped up measures to stop the influx. However, citing humanitarian grounds in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga said, ''The deportation processes is not acceptable to Mizoram''.

This reactiuon of the State CM comes after the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) wrote on March 10 to the Chief Secretaries of four (of the eight) north-eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland to take appropriate action as per law to check the influx of people from Myanmar.

The MHA also directed the Director General of Assam Rifles over the illegal influx of refugees from Myanmar. The Ministry directed them not to allow refugees from Myanmar and take appropriate action as per law.

The MHA also pointed that State governments have no powers to grant ''refugee status to any foreigner'' and that India is not a signatory to the 'UN Refugee Convention' of 1951 and its 1967 'Protocol'.

While emphasizing on the shared similarities between Myanmar and Mizoram, the CM of Mizoram stated that the areas of Myanmar bordering Mizoram are inhabited by Chin communities who are ethnically Mizo brethren with whom they have a close contact even before India attained its Independence.

''Therefore, Mizoram cannot just remain indifferent to their sufferings today. India cannot turn a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis unfolding right in front of us in our own backyard,'' said the CM.

Further citing about the advisory issued by the MHA, the CM stated, ''To prevent illegal influx from Myanmar into India in the current internal situation there and initiate the deportation processes expeditiously and without delay, is not acceptable to Mizoram.'' Zoramthanga further stated that even though the State government is aware of the foreign policies of the country but on humanitarian ground the crisis that has emerged cannot be ignored.

Giving refence to the recent meetings regarding the crisis in Myanmar, between the Mizoram Lok Sabha MP Lalrosanga and External Affairs Minister on March 16 and between Rajya Sabha MP Vanlalvena and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on March 15, the CM has sought the Centre's intervention in this matter. ''I strongly urge you to intervene so that the political refugees from Myanmar are given asylum and provided food and shelter here in the country,'' mentioned the CM in his letter to the PM.

Following the military takeover in Myanmar after the coup, the military regime has detained several elected political leaders while a huge number of refugees has fled to India in Mizoram which shares a 510-km-long border with the nation fearing further military crackdown. (Agencies)

Also Read: Mizoram government issues SOPs for Myanmar nationals in State

Also Watch: Congress star campaigner Gaurav Gogoi's campaign hits top gear