Mizoram’s achievement, surpassing 93 per cent biometric registration by early February 2026 serves as a benchmark for border states facing similar challenges. State Home Department officials confirm that biometric details of 26,381 out of 28,355 Myanmar refugees (93.04 per cent) have been collected across all 11 districts.
Champhai district, with its extensive porous border and highest refugee concentration, has enrolled 12,083 individuals while managing ongoing arrivals (231 in late January and 137 more recently). Districts like Aizawl, Lunglei, and Serchhip achieved full completion earlier, with Hnahthial nearing 95.26 per cent (563 of 591 refugees).
This rapid escalation, from 58–70 per cent in late 2025 to near-total coverage resulted from coordinated district efforts under Deputy Commissioners, comprehensive staff training, and efficient use of the Foreigners Identification Portal under the Zoram People’s Movement government.
Manipur’s efforts, while initiated earlier, have shown more limited and localized progress without comparable statewide completion metrics. The biometric exercise for Myanmar nationals (often termed “illegal migrants” in official contexts) began on July 29, 2023, following MHA directives.
Key MHA notices include instructions in May 2023 to start the process, with an initial deadline of September 30, 2023 (later referenced in communications around June–July 2023). The MHA extended this deadline on September 29, 2023, granting until March 31, 2024, after the state requested more time.
Renewed directives came on December 2, 2025, mandating mandatory online biometric registration via the Foreigners Identification Portal for foreign nationals and detected illegal immigrants, shifting from physical to real-time digital verification.In border districts like Chandel, authorities introduced handheld scanners for real-time uploads of fingerprints and facial images, with training for police, immigration staff, and Assam Rifles personnel conducted as early as November 28, 2025.
This has supported detections, such as at least 720 unauthorized entries in Chandel in one reported year many via jungle routes. Earlier campaigns captured biometrics in villages across Chandel (1,165 detected), Tengnoupal (1,147), Churachandpur, and Kamjong, state official confirming on May 8, 2024, that biometric registration was completed for 5,173 out of 5,457 detected Myanmar-origin individuals in Kamjong alone.
Recent actions include deportations, releases from detention (27 Myanmar nationals in early February 2026), and plans to expand Chandel’s model to Tengnoupal and Ukhrul districts.
Government data on illegal Myanmar nationals detected in Manipur, as published on August 4, 2024, indicates that a total of 10,675 illegal immigrants were detected in the state over the past five years, with 85 repatriated.
Currently, 10,590 remain in Manipur, of which 143 are held in government detention centres. Many originate from Mutit Township and adjacent areas in Myanmar, fleeing clashes between the military and anti-regime groups, and have entered primarily through Kamjong district.
The district-wise distribution stands as follows: Kamjong (6,199), Tengnoupal (2,406), Chandel (1,895), Churachandpur (1,150), Imphal West (11), Kakching (6), Ukhrul (3), Kangpokpi (2), Imphal East (1), Bishnupur (1), and Thoubal (1).
Exact statewide biometric completion figures for these individuals as of early 2026 remain unreported in comprehensive terms, with earlier localized data (e.g., 5,173 in Kamjong by May 2024) not scaled up publicly to match the full detected population.
The latest UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific update reports that nearly 64,300 Myanmar nationals have crossed into India since the military coup in February 2021, highlighting the scale of displacement affecting northeastern border states.
In Manipur, the challenge in biometric enrolment lies in fragmented, uneven implementation rather than absence, despite tools like scanners, portals, and training, statewide coverage remains incomplete and underreported.
This contrast cannot be attributed solely to external factors. Mizoram overcame border vulnerabilities, fresh inflows, and ethnic sensitivities through decisive prioritization and execution.
Manipur’s earlier engagement (starting July 29, 2023), dedicated border initiatives in key districts, and available technology demonstrate capacity exists when driven forward.
The MHA’s persistent directives, spanning 2023 extensions to the December 2, 2025, renewal aim to ensure identity verification, curb border misuse, and mitigate infiltration risks amid Myanmar’s ongoing turmoil.
Mizoram’s success proves that committed governance can deliver results despite obstacles. Manipur must build on its district-level initiatives, expanding online registration, enhancing transparency with statewide progress updates, and accelerating completion to fulfill central mandates, and uphold secure border management.
Blaming conflict alone risks absolving governance shortfalls. Effective leadership demands overcoming obstacles through resource allocation, inter-agency collaboration, and sustained drive, qualities Mizoram has shown.
Manipur must accelerate its efforts now, transparently report progress, and demonstrate accountability to align with central mandates and regional precedents.
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