Aizawl: The Young Mizo Association (YMA) has urged the Mizoram government to establish proper shelter homes for the over 42,000 refugees taking shelter in the state.
Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) president Lalhmachhuana said the organisation in its conference held on Thursday passed several key resolutions.
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These include the call for the government to make proper arrangements for sheltering and handling people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur taking shelter in different parts of the state.
He said the organisation urged the government to set up proper shelter homes and devise guidelines, which will be strictly enforced in management and handling of the refugees and the internally displaced people.
Earlier in October 2022, YMA – the largest and most influential civil society organisation of Mizoram – had urged the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga to form a systematic mechanism, including proper shelter homes and to take care and handle the refugees.
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According to an official of the state home department, a total of 33,004 Myanmar nationals, including 12,572 children, are currently taking shelter across all the 11 districts of Mizoram.
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Moreover, over 2,000 Bawm people from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and 7,756 internally displaced people from Manipur have also taken shelter in the state, Lalhmachhuana added.
Majority of the refugees and internally displaced people are staying outside the relief camps, either with their relatives or friends, as well as in rented accomodations, he said.
The YMA also called for the establishment of a separate investigative agency within the state Lokayukta which currently relies on the services of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), a body under the Mizoram government.
It also called for strict monitoring of the road construction works being undertaken by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and other agencies.
During the conference, the YMA announced that the association will expedite its combat against drug menace in the state as well as the initiative to protect the Mizo language.