Chakma census may ignite separatism: Mizo legislator Zothansanga

Newmai News Network
AIZAWL, SEPTEMBER 8

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he State Government of Mizoram is not in favour of conducting census on Chakma population in Mizoram, said Parliamentary Secretary T.T. Zothansanga.
“It is important to be careful while taking steps to safeguard the land and the nation (of the Mizos). Therefore, the plan to conduct census of Chakma population in Mizoram could rather be creating a step for the Chakma to pursue separatism”, TT Zothansanga cautioned. He was addressing the inauguration of SMART CARD based DL& RC in Kolasib.
As reported earlier by NNN, the Mizoram Government has last month asked Central Young Mizo Association (YMA) to put on halt their plan to conduct Chakma census. The State Home Minister has told the YMA leaders that it acknowledged that their plan to conduct Chakma census arises out of their love of the ‘Mizo nation’ and to safeguard the same.
While lauding YMA for its genuine love for the ‘Mizo nation’, the minister also told YMA leaders that it is necessary to take caution that conducting census out of sheer nationalism could result in disunity. The Home Minister further has stated it would be against the Constitution to conduct a census for one particular community within Mizoram, and therefore, asked YMA not to go ahead with their plan as of now.The Home Minister called on the Young Mizo Association leaders to cooperate with the government in maintaining village register which is meant for keeping record of genuine settlers of each village. He further suggested that a systematic plan be made such that this village register is tabled in the legislative assembly session, adding, the same would be a good means of preventing illegal entry of outsiders. Concerned over an “abnormal increase” of Chakma population in southern Mizoram, the state’s largest organisation Young Mizo Association has decided to conduct a census on Chakma population in the state to check Chakma infiltration. Chakma issue topped the agenda of the YMA central executive committee meeting in Aizawl early last month. The meeting decided to collect Rs 5 each from all the YMA members in Mizoram to conduct the gigantic task.
However, the YMA is determined to conduct the census on the Chakma community.
“The census on Chakmas will be conducted soon in the Chakma autonomous district council areas in southern Mizoram and other parts of the state,” said Lalbiakzuala, president of YMA central committee. “It (census) is necessary to study the rapid growth rate of Chakma population and further check Chakma influx from the neighbouring Bangladesh,” he added.
The YMA meeting also has decided to put more pressure on its demand for removal of Mizoram minister of state Dr B D Chakma from the Cabinet. The YMA had earlier written to chief minister Lal Thanhawla to remove Chakma from his Cabinet for his (Chakma) participation in a poll boycott against allocation of land in Chakma autonomous district council for construction of a Mizo guesthouse by Mizo students’ body Mizo Zirlai Pawl.
Protesting the allocation of land to the MZP in Borapansury under CADC, various Chakma organisations had boycotted by-election to Borapansury-II MDC seat on June 4 last. B D Chakma allegedly led the protest.
Later, the Chakma minister allegedly offended the YMA by participating at a Chakma national convention in Silchar recently where it was resolved that all Chakma-inhabited areas in Mizoram be put under the Chakma autonomous district council.
Besides the YMA, Mizoram’s apex students’ body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) has raised the issue of Chakma “infiltration.” The MZP alleged that Chakma pollution in southern Mizoram has abnormally increased during the last few years.