AIZWAL, Oct 2 : Mizoram recorded an influx of 679 new refugees from Myanmar over the past week, raising the total number of those taking shelter in the state to 33,712, according to the state Home Department.
All the new entrants have sought refuge in Saitual district, near the Manipur border, increasing the refugee population in the district from 227 to 906. The district, which had no relief camps earlier, now has three camps accommodating 89 refugees, while the remaining 587 have joined their relatives and friends or moved into rented accommodation, bringing the total number of those living outside relief camps in Saitual to 814.
Of the 679 new arrivals, 210 are men, 247 are women, and 222 are children. This brings the overall distribution in Saitual district to 274 men, 306 women, and 326 children.
Across Mizoram, 16,704 refugees are currently housed in 132 relief camps, while 17,005 others are residing outside the camps, the officials said. The overall gender distribution includes 10,119 men, 10,782 women, and 12,811 children.
Meanwhile, the Home Department reported that 928 Myanmar refugees left the state in the week ending September 1, with 921 departing from Siaha district in southern Mizoram and 7 from Mamit district along the Tripura border.
However, officials could not confirm whether these refugees returned to Myanmar or relocated to other parts of India.
(UNI)