Agartala:At a time when ruling left front in Tripura is facing challenge with the demand of elevation of Tripura Tribal Areas District Council (TTAADC) with more power, Mizos residing in Jumpui hill of eastern part of Tripura along Mizoram border has launched agitation for constitution of Regional Council for Mizos under 6th schedule of Constitution ahead of crucial TTAADC election.
The 35 -years old Jumpui Mizo Convention (JMC) has recently launched campaign for separate regional council for Mizos living in Jumpui and Sakhan ranges of North Tripura and they also sought appointment to meet the Governor P B Achariya over the demand.
About 14000 residents of 12 hill-top villages straddle Jumpui and neighbouring Sakhan ranges joined in JMC movement, as geographical isolation from mainstream of both Tripura and Mizoram and daunting problems of transport and communication along with other basic amenities.
JMC was established in 1979 with the demand for holistic socio-economic development for Mizos of the region but according to them, they are unrepresented in 60 -members state assembly and Tripura government is inactive over their development. The movement for regional council is old but recently things have come to a flash point with JMC cadres taking out processions to press for the demand.
JMC Secretary Lian Zuala Sailo pointed out that Mizos living in Tripura is not only culturally different from the rest of the state including indigenous tribals but is economically backward and geographically isolated from the mainstream; this is the reason why we are demanding a regional council to take care of our needs.
“In the early 20th century a protestant missionary from New Zealand had introduced the local Mizos to cultivation of oranges; the orange orchards sustained Jumpui’s economy for nearly a century and gave prosperity to the people; but due to natural wear and tear oranges cannot be produced in Jumpui-Sakhan hills; this has created a severe economic crisis and problem of livelihood,” he said.(UNI)
