Separate ADC in Mizoram proposed to solve Reang refugee crisis

From A Correspondent

Agartala, April 13 : The center seems to be exploring the possibility of forming another autonomous district council in Mizoram with an aim for fil settlement of the two decade old Reang refugee crisis.

The speculation emated from a recent home ministry letter seeking observation of the Mizoram government regarding the possibility of such an ADC for the Reangs. The joint secretary of the Union Home Ministry in his letter told the Chief Secretary of the state to

submit a report regarding the possible administrative structure of the proposed ADC. Considering the history, geography, composition and economy of the area the letter said such ADC may be formed comprising areas from three districts, the Mamith, Kolashib and Lungle, where most of the state’s second largest ethnic community, the Reangs, resides.

Official reaction of the Mizoram government over the new development is not yet available but it is presumed that it will not be acceptable to the Congress led state government headed by Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawala.

However, the center seems to be determined to implement the decision. At present Mizoram have three autonomous district councils for three ethnic community, the Laher, Paoui (Maar) and the Chakmas.

It may be recalled that the Reangs en mass crossed over to Tripura in 1997 following an ethnic clash with the majority Mizo’s over their demand for an autonomous district council. During last two decades the center, the state government and the refugee leaders reached into agreement over their repatriation at least 22 times where demand for ADC was never entertained and the decision also was never executed mostly due to reluctance on the part of the refugees and the Mizoram

government. Visit of series of central leaders and officials including two home ministers P Chidambaram of the former UPA government and the present home minister Rajth Singh failed to solve the crisis.

The present initiative seems to be smacked with some political intention as most of the Reang refugees and their leaders are now keeping a close touch with the RSS and some of its other outfits. ‘The BJP leaders seeing a hope that the proposed ADC, if formed, will give them a foothold in the Christian domited state, said an official from Mizoram. Most of the Reangs also following the same Christian faith but, of late, some of them are talking about reverting to their origin which appears to be an outcome of the RSS influence.  The Reang refugees are now numbering about 40,000 and residing in six camps in Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions of North Tripura district. The central government is bearing all their expenses.