Monday, May 5 2025 | Time 11:40 Hrs(IST)
States » East


Over 14,000 refugee and displaced children in Mizoram, many struggle to access education

Aizawl, May 4 (UNI) More than 14,000 children below the age of 18 are among the over 41,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently taking shelter in Mizoram, according to the latest data from the state authorities.
A total of 41,354 individuals from neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as conflict-hit Manipur, are currently living across Mizoram. Of this number, an estimated 14,101 are children under 18, officials said.
While some children of school-going age receive education in makeshift classrooms inside relief camps, others have managed to enrol in government or private schools, depending on their families’ financial capacities.
A principal of a private high school in Zokhawthar, a village on the Indo-Myanmar border, noted that a handful of refugee families are relatively well-off and are able to send their children to private institutions. However, the majority of children rely on government schools, where education is mostly free.
Refugee children admitted to government schools benefit from state-sponsored schemes such as free textbooks and midday meals, while school uniforms are subsidised at the elementary level.
Despite these efforts, officials acknowledged that a small number of refugee children are unable to continue their education due to severe economic hardship. Some are forced to support their families through manual labour or agricultural work. Education department officials, however, believe this number to be minimal and said the overall situation is manageable, though conditions in some remote border camps remain challenging.
The state home department revealed that of the 41,354 total refugees and IDPs, 20,355 are living in organised relief camps, while the remaining 20,999 are residing with relatives, friends, or in rented accommodations. Many are also engaged in farming and reside in temporary huts in cultivation areas.
Mizoram is currently hosting 33,504 refugees from Myanmar, spread across all 11 districts. Additionally, nearly all of the 2,217 refugees from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts are sheltered in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram, which shares borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar. A small number of Bangladeshi refugees have also settled temporarily in Thenzawl, but the state government is working to relocate them to the Uiphum range along the Bangladesh border in Lawngtlai.
The state is also home to 5,633 internally displaced persons from Manipur. These individuals fled to Mizoram following ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. State authorities said that more than half of them have since returned to their home state. UNI ZS SSP
More News
BJP to stage demonstration in Bengal demanding deportation of Pakistani nationals

BJP to stage demonstration in Bengal demanding deportation of Pakistani nationals

05 May 2025 | 9:59 AM

Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) The Bengal BJP will hold demonstrations in front of all district headquarters on Monday, demanding that all Pakistani citizens staying illegally in the country be identified and deported.

see more..
MOIL April production touches record high

MOIL April production touches record high

05 May 2025 | 8:08 AM

Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) MOIL produced a record 1.62 lakh tonnes of Manganese Ore in April, 2025-26, the Ministry of Steel has announced.

see more..

Arunachal constitutes Indigenous Affairs Council to promote rich tribal heritage

05 May 2025 | 1:21 AM

Itanagar, May 4 (UNI) In a significant move aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural and traditional heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, the Department of Indigenous Affairs has officially constituted the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Affairs Council (APIAC), under the guidance and blessings of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

see more..

Bihar: Jan Suraj founder targets Nitish govt

05 May 2025 | 12:50 AM

Jehanabad, May 4 (UNI) Founder of Jan Suraj, Prashant Kishor on Sunday accused the Bihar government of deceiving the people on the issues of caste census, land survey and development of Dalit-Mahadalit society.

see more..

Tripura secures top position in judicial performance

05 May 2025 | 12:46 AM

Agartala, May 4 (UNI) Tripura has secured the top position among India’s small states in the judicial performance category, according to India Justice Report 2025.

see more..