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A file image of refugees from Myanmar 

Aizawl, April 20: Mizoram has recently witnessed a new wave of refugees from Myanmar. Among the 34 individuals who crossed the border, at least 31 have arrived in the Hnahthial district of southern Mizoram, reportedly escaping coercive recruitment efforts by the Chin National Army (CNA).

According to the latest group of refugees, young individuals aged between 13 and 18 from western Chin State, particularly from Dawn village and surrounding areas, have been compelled to attend recruitment sessions organized by CNA members.

Some refugees who successfully reached Mizoram reported that numerous youths had already been conscripted to fight alongside insurgent groups opposing Myanmar’s military regime.

“We fled our homes to avoid a similar fate and sought safety across the border,” they shared.

With this recent influx, the total number of Myanmar nationals seeking refuge in Mizoram since the military coup has increased to 29,691, up from 29,657 noted in the second week of April, indicating a persistent flow of displacement from Myanmar.

The new arrivals have slightly affected the ongoing biometric enrollment process for refugees in the state, with the overall completion rate decreasing to 96.09% from 96.17% previously.

Serchhip district, which had achieved full enrollment, has seen its rate drop to 99.58% due to the addition of new refugees.

Officials noted that the biometric enrollment initiative has been progressing slowly since January, with minimal advancements reported in most districts recently. However, Aizawl, Champhai, and Lunglei districts had completed 100% enrollment by the end of 2025.

Additionally, the state government has intensified biometric registration efforts for refugees from Bangladesh in Lawngtlai district, which borders both Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Currently, of the 2,118 refugees from the Chittagong Hill Tracts residing there, biometric data for 603 individuals, or 28.47%, has been collected.

Previously, the districts of Serchhip, Lunglei, and Aizawl, which host a smaller population of Bangladeshi refugees, completed their enrollment processes last year, according to officials.