Ethnic violence erupts in Mizoram

AIZAWL: Mobs set fire to over 225 huts of Reang tribals in Mizoram, displacing several thousands as tension escalated following the gunning down of a Mizo youth, officials said here on Sunday.

“Mobs have set ablaze more than 225 houses of Reang tribals in seven villages under Mamit and Kolashib districts in southern Mizoram since Saturday, displacing over 5,000 people,” a Mizoram home department official said. Displaced tribals have taken shelter in adjacent south Highlakhandhi areas of southern Assam and Jampui in northern Tripura.

“The ethnic violence erupted after the militants shot dead an 18-year-old Mizo youth at Bungthuam village, near the Tripura border, in southern Mizoram on Friday,” the official told reporters. The youth was shot dead when he and his friends were collecting pig fodder in a forest area. The two gunmen fled the spot soon after the incident.

A little known militant outfit, Bru National Army, claimed responsibility for the gunning down of the youth.

Condemning the killing, several political parties and the influential Young Mizo Association (YMA) in separate statements have demanded that those behind the killing be arrested and punished.

Warning the troublemakers, Mizoram Home minister R. Lalzirliana said those who disrupt peace would be firmly dealt with and brought to book.

District authorities in southern Assam and northern Tripura held meetings with local leaders and Reang tribals to maintain peace in mixed populated areas. “Both civil and police administrations in northern Tripura are on alert to prevent any eventuality following the ethnic violence and exodus of Reang tribals from Mizoram,” said north Tripura district magistrate Samarjit Bhowmik.

Over 35,000 Reang (locally called Bru) tribal refugees have been living in six north Tripura camps since 1997 after they fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos.

The recent tripartite meeting here between representatives of Centre, Mizoram government and tribal refugees failed to resolve the 12-year deadlock to repatriate 35,000 Reang migrants from Tripura to Mizoram. “Both the Centre and the Mizoram government rejected our major demands. We will not return to our homes unless our vital demands are fulfilled,” said Elvis Chorkhy, who led the refugee delegation at the meeting.