The Mizoram nationals taking shelter in Kolasib district were reportedly found in possession of fake Indian documents like Aadhaar card, PAN card and bank passbook said the Young Mizo Association (YMA) on Tuesday.

The Association said that it had assessed 110 Myanmar nationals who are currently taking shelter at Khamrang village in the Kolasib district and found three Myanmar nationals with fake Aadhaar card.

Reportedly, the Myanmar refugees paid Rs 8,000 for one Aadhar card.

Along with the Aadhar card, some were also found in possession of a Federal Bank (Aizawl) passbook, and PAN card etc.

Following the discovery, photocopies of the same were submitted to Kolasib deputy commissioner, John L.T. Sanga for further investigations.

“Illegitimate possession of Indian documents by foreigners is a serious offence. The matter would be probed and necessary measures taken,” DC Sanga said while speaking to the media.

This is not the first time, the Myanmar nationals have been found with fake documents.

In April 2023, Benjanim Sum, a Myanmarese singer who was taking shelter in Mizoram, was seen riding a brand new bike registered in his name which is possible only with a valid identity or residential proof. 

Sum, however, surrendered his fake Indian documents following protests by the locals.

A report by IndianTimes stated that Sum had all the required documents - Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license, a Mizoram birth certificate and a garage clearance from a local council in Aizawl. 

Currently, there are about 34,000 Myanmar nationals and over 700 people from Bangladesh in Mizoram.

Myanmar nationals had started taking shelter in Mizoram after the Tatmadaw or Myanmar military took over the country post a coup on February 1, 2021.

These people are mostly belonging to the Chin ethnic group comprising the Lai, Tidim-Zomi, Lusei and Hualngo tribes, who are closely related to the Mizo community.

Mizoram shares a 510 km and 318 km boundary with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively.

(With inputs from The Hindu)