The reason for the suspension has to do with the increasing number of new comers from Burma and the backlog which needs to be cleared by the UNHCR office in New Delhi. This is delaying the registration of Burmese people who seek refugee status.  

The UNHCR notification said it would try to clear the backlog before the end of November, 2007.

However, the UNHCR office did not mention the date of reopening registrations for newly arrived people from Burma.

The inefficiency of staff members in the office has held up the process of interviewing and decision making for granting refugee status, said Margarita Vargav, legal officer of the UNHCR office in New Delhi, at an open house meeting for Burmese refugees held in August.

"I agree with the decision of the UNHCR as there are a lot of cases still remaining to be dealt with. Some people have been waiting for two to three years," said Jeremiah Lishang Chuiha, president of the Chin Refugees Committee (CRC) in New Delhi.

"The UNHCR office also assured intervention or necessary action in case of deportation of Burmese by Indian authorities, he added.    

There are 270 pending cases and 35 appeal cases locked in files in the UNHCR in New Delhi, CRC said. Moreover, over 100 minor cases (less than the age of 18) are registered in the UNHCR office.   

There are over 2,000 refugees, majority from Chin state, Burma living in New Delhi and among them, 1800 have been granted refugee status by the UNHCR office, according to Other Media (Refugee Desk) in India. – Khonumthung.