South Mizoram steps up against refugees getting voter ID, Aadhaar card

Aizawl: Deputy commissioner of South Mizoram's Lunglei district, Navneet Mann, has called on village councils and civil society leaders to work together in preventing refugees and illegal migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh from obtaining documents meant exclusively for Indian citizens.
Addressing a meeting with district administration officials, representatives of the Lunglei district village council or local council association, and the Lunglei sub-headquarters Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mann emphasised the need for a robust mechanism to stop refugees and illegal migrants from acquiring voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, birth certificates, and ration cards.
Mann warned that issuing such documents to non-citizens would deprive Indian citizens of their rightful benefits.
The meeting also discussed creating a fool-proof system to prevent the issuance of permanent residential certificates to foreigners and identifying fraudulently obtained documents.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of raising public awareness, urging locals not to allow their names to be used by refugees or migrants for purchasing land, buildings, vehicles, or other properties.
District officials reported that all refugees in the district have been profiled, and temporary identity cards have been issued for identification. As of April, the district is sheltering 1,971 Myanmar refugees and 63 refugees from Bangladesh.