Mizo Student and Ethnic Groups Protest Border Fencing in Aizawl
The Zo Re-unification Organisation and the Mizo Zsirlai Pawl staged a sit-in protest on Friday. They gathered outside Vanapa Hall in Aizawl. The protest targeted the Centre's proposed fencing along the India-Myanmar border.
Leaders Voice Strong Opposition to the Fencing Plan
Zoro president R Sangkawia addressed the gathering. He stated the fencing would divide ethnic Mizos living in Mizoram and Myanmar. Sangkawia warned the move could damage the unity and brotherhood of indigenous peoples on both sides of the border.
He expressed concern that the plan might deepen disunity among ethnic Mizos. The Zoro president also cautioned it could result in physical assimilation of the entire Mizo tribe. Sangkawia recalled the Mizoram state legislature had already adopted a resolution opposing the border fencing.
MZP President Calls for Reunification of Kindred People
MZP president C Lalremruata spoke at the protest. He declared the Mizos firmly oppose the fencing. Lalremruata emphasized their goal is reunification of ethnic Mizos living across contiguous countries.
"There can be international borders but the kindred people cannot be divided by the borders demarcated by countries," he said. The MZP president added his organization would oppose the proposed fencing to the very end.
Ongoing Campaign Against the Border Fencing Proposal
Zoro, MZP, and the NGO Coordination Committee have submitted memorandums to the central government. The NGO Coordination Committee is a coalition of major civil society groups in Mizoram. These organizations have previously organized multiple protest rallies against the proposed fencing.
The sit-in protest in Aizawl represents the latest action in their ongoing campaign. The groups aim to halt the Centre's plan to erect physical barriers along the sensitive border region.
