The Centre has approved Mizoram’s proposal to raise a Mizo Territorial Army battalion, aimed at countering drug trafficking and boosting local employment.
BY PC Bureau
May 25, 2025: – The Union Home Ministry has assured the Mizoram government that a dedicated online portal for the registration of over 33,000 Myanmarese refugees currently taking shelter in the state will be launched soon, following a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Lalduhoma in New Delhi.
According to an official statement issued by the Mizoram government, Shah extended full support to the state’s humanitarian response, and assured that technical glitches in the refugee registration system, previously tailored for deportation processes, have now been resolved. The new portal will enable biometric enrolment of the displaced individuals, which had been halted in 2023 due to format issues and upcoming elections.
READ: L’Affair Tej Pratap Yadav: Love, Loyalty, or Sibling Rivalry?
A senior official from Mizoram’s Home Department confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a video conference with state officials to finalize the enrolment process. As of now, 33,023 refugees from Myanmar have taken shelter in Mizoram, with 17,551 living in 125 relief camps, and the rest staying with host families or in rented homes. The displaced population includes 12,361 children, 10,416 women, and 10,246 men.
In a significant development, the Centre has also agreed to support Mizoram’s proposal to establish a Mizo Territorial Army (MTA) battalion. This move is aimed at addressing drug trafficking and law and order challenges, especially along Mizoram’s unfenced 510 km border with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh—hotbeds for smuggling of narcotics, arms, and exotic wildlife.
READ: COCOMI-Led Protest Turns Violent; Women Injured in Tear Gas Action
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, highlighted the manpower shortage in the state’s enforcement agencies and said the MTA would not only bolster border security but also provide employment opportunities to Mizo youth. Union Minister Shah praised Mizoram as “one of the most peaceful states in India” and assured the Centre’s commitment to supporting its security efforts.
Further, Lalduhoma urged the Home Minister to expedite the handover of Lengpui Airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a move expected to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in the region. Shah expressed his willingness to intervene to ensure the process is completed at the earliest.
READ: Baloch Journalist Shot Dead in Front of Family
Meanwhile, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has proposed establishing a zonal office in Mizoram to strengthen drug enforcement efforts. NCB Director General Anurag Garg, during a meeting with the Chief Minister, emphasized the need for more personnel familiar with local conditions and languages.
The Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill, 2019—passed under the previous MNF government and pending Presidential assent—was also reviewed during the high-level discussions.
With growing security and humanitarian concerns, the collaboration between the Centre and Mizoram government marks a pivotal moment in addressing both the refugee crisis and transborder criminal activity.
