February 18, 2008 - The influx of Burmese into Mizoram, a northeastern state in India continues unabated. More and more refugees from Burma are likely to come into the state, because of political instability in military ruled Burma, according to the Young Mizo Association (YMA).
YMA in a seminar on "Burmese Refugees Migrants in Mizoram" held on February 16 expressed sympathy and understanding over the plight of unrecognized refugees from Burma living in Mizoram. It plans to discuss the refugee issue in its monthly meeting.
The seminar was jointly organized by YMA and Zo Human Right Global Network (ZHRGN). It was held in the YMA hall in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state.
"We, YMA, understand the plight of Burmese refugees in the state because of political instability in Burma. We, therefore, are planning to have an agenda on Burmese refugees at the monthly meeting in the future," Lalbiakzuala, Assistant Secretary of Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) said.
At present, there are over 80,000 unrecognized refugees from Burma living in Mizoram.
YMA also said that Burmese people in Mizoram needed to be convinced that by living within the legal framework (without committing any crime), they can live peacefully in the state.
The YMA statement also cited that there are some Burmese who fled to India in fear of Burmese regime's suppression and human rights abuse. Some were also said to have arrived because of food scarcity and economic crisis in Burma.
The YMA in its seminar blamed the Mizoram state government for failing to fully implement the guidelines for regulating entry of Burmese tribals into Mizoram which had increased the influx of refugees from Burma to Mizoram.
The YMA also supported the Indian government's 'Look East' policy which includes Indo-Burma development projects such as the Kaladan project. These projects will benefit the people from both countries.
However, pro-democracy activists from Burma in Mizoram felt that the projects will increase forced labour and human rights abuse in Burma. – Khonumthung.
Source: Khonumthung News
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