Two North Eastern states – Manipur and Mizoram – have divergent views on Myanmar refugees

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Manipur and Mizoram –– have a completely divergent view on Myanmar refugees who have been entering their respective states. While the Manipur government has preferred to stick with the Union government’s diktat that state governments have no powers to grant refugee status to any foreigners, Mizoram has not stopped their influx into their state.

The reason for the Mizo stand is the underlying fact that a majority of these refugees belong to the Chin (or Zo) community, who share ancestry, ethnicity and culture with the Mizos of Mizoram. This is perhaps the reason why Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said: “The MNF and the BJP work together for development, but not on the Mizo and religious issues and we do not say ‘ji saheb’ (yes, sir) to whatever they say”.

Addressing party workers at Hnam Run (MNF party office) in Aizawl, Zoramthanga said on Monday, “The BJP-led central government has instructed the Mizoram government to push back all the refugees from Myanmar, but the state government refused. I announced in the assembly that we will not deport them (Myanmar refugees), but will rather give them shelter and food.” Substantiating his stand, he said: “I told the Centre that millions of refugees from East Pakistan taking shelter in West Bengal in 1971 were taken care of by the Indian government and I put strong pressure on the central government.” Zoramthanga had earlier urged the Centre to provide asylum to refugees fleeing Myanmar.