Newmai News Network
Aizawl | January 22
Mizoram’s apex student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students’ Federation, on Tuesday asked the Mizoram government to immediately demolish “unauthorised or illegal” villages being allegedly set up in “Chakma and Bru areas.”
MZP president L Ramdinliana Renthlei said that there are 21 “unauthorized” villages in two Mizoram districts “as per the official records”. Of the 21 “illegal” villages, 19 are in Lunglei district and 2 are in Mamit district on the Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border, he said. Renthlei also said that the figure could be more as they have inspected only the two districts.
The MZP leader then alleged that the villages were established by the Chakma and Bru communities, who purportedly migrated from neighbouring Bangladesh. He also said that 20 villages were established by the “Chakma foreigners”, while one in Mamit district was occupied by the Bru tribal.
According to Renthlei, leaders of the student body on Monday called on minister K. Lalrinliana and informed him about the “unauthorized” villages. He further said that they appealed to the minister to identify the villages and take speedy steps to ensure that the villages are demolished at the earliest. Renthlei also said that the minister “promised us” to look into the matter and take necessary actions accordingly. The student body then raised the issue of inter-state border dispute with Assam during their meeting with the minister.
“We informed him (Lalrinliana) that the MZP is firm on constructing a resting shed at Zophai near Bairabi town on Mizoram-Assam border. The minister promised to visit Zophai area along with our leaders and take measures to ensure that a rest shed is constructed in the area at the earliest,” Renthlei said.