The Role of Ethnic Ties in Refugee Reception: A Comparative Study of Zomi Refugees in Manipur and Mizoram

This paper examines how ethnic ties and political dynamics shaped the reception of Zomi refugees in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. Although both states share geographical proximity and cultural links with the Zomi people, their responses diverse significantly. Manipur adopted a restrictive stance, influenced by political pragmatisms and longstanding ethnic tensions between the dominant Meitei community and the Kuki-Zomi groups. In contrast, Mizoram responded with compassion, driven by ethnic solidarity and a sense of shared ancestry. Using a comparative qualitative approach based on secondary data- including media reports, and social media narratives-the study explores how local governance, identity politics, and community mobilisation affected refugee reception. The security-focused response of Manipur reveals the limitations of refugee protection in politically fragmented settings. Conversely, the inclusive response of Mizoram illustrates how cultural kinship can supersede logistical constraints to enable grassroots humanitarianism. The findings highlight that ethnic and cultural relationships can play a pivotal role in shaping humanitarian action, while political fragmentation and exclusionary narratives may hinder effective refugee management. The study contributes to the broader discourse on refugee management by highlighting the importance of local dynamics, ethnic identity, and political will in shaping responses to forced migration in ethnically diverse states.