The MHA, which had first instructed the state to do so in January, recently sent a reminder asking the Mizoram government to stop movement of Myanmarese nationals beyond the 16 km radius of the Mizoram-Myanmar border. "The MHA is concerned over unchecked infiltration of Myanmarese nationals, particularly Chins and Burmese Mizos, into the state in search of jobs and to seek asylum from the military junta," a source in MHA said.
According to the Indian Passport Act, Myanmarese nationals, especially Chins, were allowed to travel up to 40 km from the border inside Mizoram as they have many relatives on both sides of the border. But the amendments made afterwards allowed them only up to 16 km. The MHA directed the state government that any Myanmarese national intending to go beyond 16 km inside Mizoram has to obtain permission from New Delhi.
Officials in the state home department also agreed that infiltration of Myanmarese nationals was a major headache for Mizoram and that the state government had authorized the SP, CID (Special Branch), who is also designated as the foreigners' registration officer, to check and verify travel documents of people coming from the neighbouring country.
Sources said at least 50,000 Myanmarese nationals were staying in Mizoram creating a demographic nightmare for the small state having a population of about 10 lakh. Myanmarese nationals in Mizoram are mainly working as domestic help and weavers. Some of them are also working as teachers.
Majority of drug traffickers arrested are Myanmarese nationals, especially Chins, who could easily mingle with the locals as they have the same features and also speak the same language.
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