Mizoram police detain six Burmese vendors
September 20, 2007 - The Mizoram police yesterday rounded up six vendors including a woman belonging to Chin state, Burma, from Lunglei, second capital of Mizoram state, northeast India.
A young migrant worker from Burma laboring in the weaving industry of Mizoram, India.(Photo: Aung Myo Min)
"The police came and told them (arrested six vendors) to wrap up the goods they had displayed for sale by the road side in the main market in Lunglei. Later, they were taken to the police station," said eyewitnesses in Lunglei.
The police charged the six vendors under the Foreigner's Act and transferred them to Lunglei jail, a source said.
The detained Burmese live in rented rooms in Lunglei and sell goods on the roadside for the upkeep of their families.
Occasionally, the police launch operations against illegal immigrants from Burma working in Mizoram. Most are released with a fine ranging between Rs. 500 to 1,000.
"We don't know exactly how many Burmese have been detained as we unaware of most of the raids. It's a quite operation", said a source in Lunglei.
The influx of traders and job hunters from Burma continues into Mizoram mainly through the Indo-Burma border trade No (2) Road. – Khonumthung.
