Thirty Chin migrants, who were tenants in Chawlhmun block of Aizawl were arrested with the help of the Village Council, Block Young Mizo Association members and Vaivakawn block police station personnel.

"I don't know why they were arrested but the block authorities and youth group checked the Mizoram Identity card (ID) in the area and arrested those who do not have ID cards," said a Chin migrant from Chawlhmun block.

A Chin migrant on condition of anonymity told Khonumthung News that the arrested Chin migrants were sent to Vaivakawn police station in a prison bus. Some were children.

"Some of the children will have to leave the rented rooms, so their parents brought them along to the police station. But we do not know exactly how many children were there," said a Chin woman from Aizawl.

At the same time 16 Chin migrants were also arrested from two restaurants near Aizawl market by the police yesterday morning. Five persons planning to attend an India Bible college were also arrested.

"The five planning to study in a Bible school in central India had already booked bus tickets. But the police arrested them," said a restaurant owner of Aizawl.

Thirteen Burmese migrants were also arrested during the water festival celebrations in Zawngtui block of Aizawl on 15 April. They are being detained in Aizawl Central jail and they will be produced in Aizawl High Court on 2 May.

Some Aizawl block Young Mizo Association members have been monitoring Burmese migrants, who do not have voter identity cards and state identity cards.

"They (the Young Mizo Association) members came to my house we rented and they asked how many years we were staying in Aizawl. They asked for transfer permits. If we cannot show the permit, it may be difficult for us," said a Chin migrant worker from Electric block of Aizawl.

Mizoram authorities usually check for work permits, transfer permits, voter ID and national ID for foreigners in the region. Khonumthung news