Israel welcomes Bangladesh 'removing travel ban', Dhaka says its much ado about formality ::: Over 15,000 Myanmar refugees residing in Mizoram

New Delhi: The Mizoram government has officially informed the centre that over 15,000 Myanmar refugees are now residing in the northeastern state.

In his letter to Smita Pant, Joint Secretary in charge Myanmar and Bangladesh in the Ministry of External Affairs,State Planning Board Vice Chairman H. Rammawi said that the number of refugees who have taken shelter in Mizoram was 15,438.

Giving the break up, he informed that the number of incoming guests from Myanmar was "increasing day by day".

File snap: Blogger in Nagaland 2018

He informed the centre that the state capital Aizawl alone has about 6000 of them whileremote Hnahthial district has 2413. 

These figures have major variability from the version of state police as reported in a section of media.

A few days back, police CID data claimed over 5,600 Myanmar nationals, including 18 lawmakers, have so far sneaked into Mizoram since the military junta took control of the regime there on February 1. It has been claimed that more than 100 refugees have returned to their country so far, according to police.

Exodus of the refugees, mainly belonging to the Mizo ethnic group in Chin State and Sagaing division, had begun in February following the brutal crackdown on anti-coup protesters who launched Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) against the coup by the military on February 1.

Even Myanmar government employees and policemen and fire service personnel had fled to Mizoram after they were reportedly 'ordered' by the military junta to open fire at anti-coup protesters.

According to Mizoram government's missive, the Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district is at present hosting 3,877 refugees as on May 10-11.

Some social workers and student leaders in Aizawl said that Rammawi's figures might be still on conservative side,as many Myanmar nationals were staying in the homes of their "relatives in Mizoram".

Reports said, local residents and NGOs were taking care of the refugees but the pandemic triggered cash-starving state government has sought financial assistance from the centre.

The CPI-M politburo in a statement recently said, "The Indian people have great sympathy and support for the neighbouring people of Myanmar who are valiantly protesting against the military takeover.The Indian government should reflect this sympathy and not treat the people who have crossed over fearing for their lives as “illegal migrants”. They should be given refugee status and provided humanitarian assistance".

A large number of Chins and other Myanmar citizens after backlash from military rulers had come to Mizoram in the 1980s. Mizoram government officials say once the democratically elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi took charge, most of the refugees had gone back.

However, the possible ‘onslaught’ of refugees from India’s eastern neighbour has revived again after the recent military coup.

Myanmar’s military junta carried out the coup ousting Suu Kyi regime alleging there was electoral fraud during the elections held in November 2020 amid Covid19 pandemic.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, whose party Mizo National Front (MNF) is a BJP ally, said that the people of the state would welcome ‘any ethnic Mizo’ or other Myanmar citizens facing persecution for participating in the pro-democratic protest in Myanmar.

A one-year state of emergency has been declared in Myanmar and all powers have been reposed with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The Union Home Ministry had earlier given directions to the chief secretaries of four northeastern states -- Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur not to 'entertain' Myanmar refugees. 
The centre has also instructed Assam Rifles to seal the border and prevent entry from the neighbouring country.

The Home ministry letter reiterated that the state governments and UT administrations have no power to grant "refugee" status to any foreigner and India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol.

The four northeastern states share a 1,643 km unfenced border with Myanmar. 
In April, India condemned "any use of violence" in Myanmar.
"We believe that the rule of law should prevail. We stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman Arindam Bagchi has said. 

India has also urged the release of political prisoners and supported any attempts at resolving the current situation, including through the efforts of ASEAN. 
"We remain engaged on this issue with our international interlocutors and at the UN Security Council in an effort to play a balanced and constructive role,” he said.

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Israel welcomes Bangladesh 'removing travel ban', Dhaka says its much ado about formality

Israel has welcomed the decision of Bangladesh authorities to 'remove' travel ban to the country and hoped even diplomatic ties would be established soon.  

"Great news! Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step and I call on the Bangladeshi government to move forward and establish diplomatic ties with Israel so both our peoples could benefit and prosper," tweeted Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gilad Cohen.

The Bangladesh government in its recently issued e-passports has removed the words “except Israel” thus making it eligible for travelling into any country in the world. Earlier, Bangladeshi passports had words stating it is valid for “All countries of the world, except Israel”. 

It is worth mentioning that despite not having any diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Bangladesh had removed “except Taiwan” from the passport making it eligible for travel to Taiwan. Observers say Bangladesh's economic interactions with Taiwan have also improved.

Of course, a Muslim-majority country Bangladesh has maintained nothing much must be drawnfrom the decision of the Bangladesh Home Ministry.

Bangladesh foreign minister Dr A K Abdul Momen said country'shome ministry studied many passports of other countries when new passports were ordered for Bangladesh.

He said no passport in the world contains such words. "The changes have been made to maintain global standards," he clarified. 

According to reports in 'The Daily Star, a Dhaka-based newspaper, Director General of Department of Immigration and Passport, Major General Md Ayub Chowdhury, also said, the move to delete the phrase "except Israel" has no link with the country's diplomatic relations with any country. 

From now on, the new electronic passports or e-passports will mention: "This passport is valid for all countries of the world".

He clarified a passport carries someone's identity adding, "Your passport is used for confirmation of your identity when you go abroad. You can travel anywhere only if you have visa of that country".

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