The district administration in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai has barred refugees and foreigners from renting houses and prohibited them from going out after 8 pm, except in emergencies, under a new order issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
The restrictions, which came into effect in September 2026, are part of a set of measures aimed at regulating the residence, movement and documentation of refugees and foreigners in the district.
Under the order, refugees working in business establishments must obtain a work permit from the Village Council and Young Lai Association (YLA) of the locality where they work. Authorities have also been directed to conduct necessary follow-up and checks.
From September onwards, refugees and foreigners will not be permitted to rent houses within Lawngtlai town, according to the order.
They have also been prohibited from going out after 8 pm unless it is an emergency. Authorities have been instructed to conduct checks as necessary.
Village Councils have been directed to maintain proper registers of refugees and foreigners residing within their jurisdiction or renting accommodation there.
Households have also been instructed to report to their Village Council and YMA when persons who are not Indian citizens come to stay with them. Village Councils must maintain proper records of such persons.
People moving into a locality are required to produce a transfer certificate from the Village Council of their previous place of residence and submit it to the Village Council of their new locality. Those without proper transfer documents will be dealt with by local authorities, the order states.
Hotels and homestays have also been directed not to accommodate guests whose identities cannot be properly established.
They must obtain photocopies of identification documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar Card or driving licence, and maintain registers recording guests’ arrivals and departures.
Hotels and homestays must submit weekly reports on their guests to the Superintendent of Police, Lawngtlai, along with the required documentation.
The restrictions come against the backdrop of a large influx of refugees from neighbouring Myanmar into Mizoram following the military coup and continuing conflict in the country.
Lawngtlai has a large refugee population, with state Home Department figures showing 6,314 Myanmar refugees in the district as of March 6, 2026.
The district administration has also been carrying out biometric enrolment of Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees, including those staying in relief camps and rented houses in Lawngtlai town.
At the state level, Mizoram had 29,723 officially recorded Myanmar refugees as of May 2026, according to Home Department figures.
Also Read: Explained: Why the BJP-Tipra Motha alliance is facing the Tiprasa Accord test