Newmai News Network Aizawl | April 20 Mizoram’s apex student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), has demanded the demolition of 'unauthorised' or 'illegal' settlements and villages in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) area in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district. The student body warned that it would take stringent measures if the state government fails to demolish the villages on or before June 30, 2018. Speaking to reporters here today, MZP president L. Ramdinliana Renthlei said there are at least 14 'unauthorised' villages in CADC area being allegedly established by illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. As per information sought through RTI from Local Administration Department, Government of Mizoram, there were 23 'unauthorised' villages in CADC area in 2013, which decreased to 14 in 2018 – a decrease of 9 'unauthorised' villages. In this regard, the MZP president demanded that the State Government clarify on whether it has demolished the 9 'unauthorised' villages or of they have been accorded official recognition as 'authorized' villages. Renthlei alleged that villages are being established by “Chakma immigrants” from Bangladesh and added that the student body has been taking massive efforts to demolish such 'unauthorised' settlements in CADC area. “We demand the State Government to identify the unauthorised villages and take measures to demolish them on or before June 30, 2018,” the MZP President stated while warning of stringent measures from their part to ensure the demolition of the illegal villages. Also pointing out that there are three villages under the CADC occupied by indigenous Mizos – viz., Saizawh, Damdep and Parva, the MZP president alleged that the three villages were being ignored by the district council and deprived of developments. “Residents of the three Mizo villages faced developmental issues as they have been ignored and not given any development by the Chakma council,” Renthlei claimed and added that the MZP will take efforts to protect the villages if the council continues to ignore them. The MZP president also argued that the influx of “illegal migrants” from Bangladesh over the decades has led to an exponential growth in the Chakma population in Mizoram. “While there were only 198 Chakma population in Mizoram according to 1901 census, the figure has shot up to over 1,50,000 at present. This decadal growth rate of the Chakmas is beyond normal rate of human production and this clearly shows that the influx of Chakma foreigners from across the border has remained unchecked,” he argued. As such, Renthlei demanded both the Central and State Governments to put a check on the growing influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.
