YMA calls for caution in issuing official documents to Myanmar refugees

Aizawl, 26 April (Zoram News): Central Committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) has called on officials in Mizoram authorized to issue important documents such as birth certificates, residential certificates, scheduled tribe certificates, and voter identity cards, to issue them only to bona fide residents of Mizoram and Indian citizens. 

This call comes after allegations that a Myanmar-born singer, Benjamin Sum, was able to obtain various official documents despite being a refugee and a non-Indian national.

Sum, who fled to Mizoram following the military coup d'etat in Myanmar in early 2021, reportedly acquired an Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license, Mizoram birth certificate, and garage clearance from the local council of the locality in Aizawl where he temporarily resides.

To own a vehicle in Aizawl, it is mandatory to have a garage, either one's own or rented. The YMA has requested that all refugees living in Mizoram respect the laws and regulations of the state and refrain from doing anything that could endanger the integrity of all ethnic Zo people.

The YMA statement also urged the people of Mizoram to maintain the brotherhood of all ethnic Zo people, regardless of their location. The committee emphasized the need to avoid spreading anything in the media that could harm the unity of the Zo people. The YMA's appeal to officials to exercise caution in issuing important documents is expected to have a significant impact in ensuring that only legitimate residents of Mizoram and Indian citizens are issued with official documents.