Aizawl: 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.
“The census on Chakmas will be conducted soon in the Chakma autonomous district council areas in southern Mizoram and other parts of the state,” Lalbiakzuala, president of YMA central committee said.
“It (census) is necessary to study the rapid growth rate of Chakma population and further check Chakma influx from the neighbouring Bangladesh,” he added.
Chakma issue topped the agenda of the YMA central executive committee meeting in Aizawl on Saturday. The meeting decided to collect Rs 5 each from all the YMA members in Mizoram to conduct the gigantic task.
The YMA meeting also 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.
This time, the Chakma minister 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.
“This time, besides writing letter, we will meet the chief minister to demand removal of B D Chakma,” the YMA president said.
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. “The rapid population of Chakmas, which is against natural population growth, indicates nothing but large-scale influx of Chakma foreigners from Bangladesh,” Lalhmachhuana said.
The alleged Chakma foreigners’ infiltration is said to be much higher in Lunglei district than the Chakma autonomous district council, both bordering Bangladesh.
The MZP has brought the “infiltration” issue with the state and the central government but is has fallen on ‘deaf ears.’
“We have high hopes on the Narendra Modi government,” Lalhmachhuana said. (UNI)