27 July 2010: Indian police officials in Lunglei district, the second capital of Mizoram state in northeast India have been compiling a data base on Burmese nationals as of 21 July and, it is learnt.

The police are seeking detailed information including the names, addresses in Burma, Burmese ID card numbers, present address, and name of the house owner, where they stay, and taking photographs.

Pu Kapte in Lunglei said, “The policemen said they were collecting the information to investigate Burmese people in the event of their being involved in any crime. It will be easier for the police to trace them. There is no reason to worry on this score.”

Lunglei policemen collected data of over 70 Burmese people in Venglai and Electric block after which they will cover the rest in other blocks.

There have been instances of Burmese people being involved in drug cases, fake money laundering and other crimes in Mizoram state. On 3 July, two Chins got into a fight in Lunglei and one died on the spot. A woman was murdered by two men in Lawngtlai district. One was arrested and the other, a Chin fled to Burma. These incidents were highlighted in Mizoram daily newspapers.

The authorities seized fake notes worth Rs. 1.4 lakhs in Lawngtlai district in the second week of this month. The Chin involved in the racket, living in Sangau village, Lawngtlai district was arrested.

Rackets in drugs and smuggling are rampant in Aizawl, the state capital and Lawngtlai district. Drugs worth Rs. 19 lakhs and liquor were destroyed by the Young Mizo Association (YMA) in Aizawl city between 29 May to 2 July this year.

A Lunglei Ramthar Kumpuan Committee report says Rs. 4.5 lakhs worth of drugs and liquor were destroyed in Lunglei District between 23 May and 11 July.