IN MY DREAM, A Poem by S Chakma

By Suman Chakma

"Every secret has its reason"

Oh Lord!Oh Lord! You graced me

You console me,by giving her me

She looks like an angel and washed-away my grief

With furry,soft hands patted my chest

I looked into her eyes,they magnet me more

Like I received all from thee,Oh Lord!

I lost myself on her lap,I lost my pals too

When I woke-up,I find myself deserted,

Lonely and melancholy,I realised she used me

She left me,with raw-cut on my chest;

I got other one more attractive than her

Alas!Oh Lord! I woke-up,I found again it was nothing but a dreamt dream.

                                                              Suman Chakma, Borapansury

                                                      Chakma Autonomous District Council

                                                                            Mizoram  

SOME FACTS ON THE CHAKMA COMMUNITY IN MIZORAM - A Critical Study of their Problems

Compiled by: Suman Chakma


                                                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
      At the most, I would like to thanks the Editorial Board of North-East India Chakma Students and Youth Federation (NEICSYF),which was established in the year 1995 under the leadership of Dangu S.Jiban Chakma. H.Q: Silchar, Cachar, Assam. Who has published this article in its first Annual Magazine named "SAWJAG" which literally means "Awareness". However, the organization is now unrecognized due to some delinquency.
    I am obliged to Dangu L.B. Chakma, the writer of this article who has made every efforts to provide us in details in a nutshell about the problems of the Chakmas in Mizoram. Who was the then Art & Cultural Officer, Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Kamalanagar, Mizoram.



'The bigger fishes swallowed the small fishes' is the term used to describe the attitude of a  major community on the smaller communities; when the major community try to annihilate the smaller communities-politically, culturally, economically or religiously. The term is going to fit perfectly on the chakma community in Mizoram for the treatment being given to them by the major communty, the Mizos.

    The present political scenario in Mizoram is seen to revolve around the peace loving ethnic Chakmas. They have now become a delicate subject of politics. Every Mizo politician, leaders and organisations now use the Chakmas as their weapon to gain popularity and power. The only political issue which suits the Mizos seems to be only the 'Chakma Issue'. The politicians and leaderships are keeping no stone unturned to prove the Chakmas as illegal infiltrators and foreigners in every newspapers, magazines and other correspondence the Chakmas are now branded as 'Foreigners' and 'Illegal Infiltrators'. Every efforts are active to stripe the Chakmas even from their fundamental right of citizenship. Their names are being deleted from the Electoral rolls to show them as 'Foreigners'. They have become poorest of all communities in Mizoram and the developmental and family oriented schemes practically reached them very few. An administrative conspiracy is being going on to deprive them from their rights and privileges.

      All the administrative offices are occupied by mizo officials in Mizoram and it is very easy for them to give effect to any conspiracy against the Chakmas. The representation of the Chakma community in the form of job holders is almost NIL. There is only one Gazetted officer and two UDCs in the whole Mizoram Civil Administration. There is also no reservation of job or seats for higher and technical education like MBBS, engineering etc. for the Chakma community.

       The fact that there is not a single bank, treasury or sub-post office in the Chakma inhabited area is a best example to show how the Chakmas are deprived from facilities and privileges. After its existence or the last twenty seven years, there is no any post-office, bank, treasury or metal road in the whole Chakma Autonomous District Council area. Perhaps Chawngte Sub-Division (Chakma Autonomous District Council Area) is the only civil sub-division in India where there is no bank, treasury, post-office or other facilities. The head quarters of the Chakma Autonomous District Council, Kamalanagar always remain cut off during the Rainy Season for not having any bridge or metal road. A policy of deprivation of the Chakmas is always active in Mizoram.


          CAUSES OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CHAKMAS AND THE MIZOS


   The present situation of Chakmas hatred by the Mizos did not exist earlier. The Mizo people were very kind and loving on the Chakmas. They helped them liberally whenever their assistance was in need. There are many instances where the Mizos helped and guided the Chakmas for community welfare, pursuance of Govt. facilities. They also helped the Chakmas on natural calamities, accidents etc. without any communal feelings. The Chakmas also extended their love and friendship with their traditional hospitality and affection.

    The relation between the Mizos and the Chakmas started to sour after the Mizo uprising in 1966. In the 1966 Mizo uprising the Chakmas helped the security forces with supply of porters and guides. The Mizo blame the Chakmas for not taking part in their fight for a independent Mizoram. Many Mizos still blame the Chakmas for their role on the torture caused by the security forces for extraction of hide out of MNF. It is also a fact that the Mizos never took the Chakmas in their confidence for the fight for a independence Mizoram. It is also a fact that many Mizos still remember with gratitude for the help extended by the Chakma guides in freeing them from the custody of security forces.

     There are also instances where the MNF killed Chakmas and burnt their houses at Gorosora and other places. Some Chakma criminals also killed one pastor and his companions in 1966 near Dibblibagh.

    The main causes of differences between the Chakmas and the Mizos is believed to be the differences in religious beliefs. The Chakmas are traditional followers of Buddhism whereas the Mizos are cent percent Christian since 1905. The Mizo Christian are aggressive and they always try to convert others by any means. On the other hand the Chakmas are very conservative in their beliefs and seldom convert to other religions. The Mizo Christian missionery have been trying their level best to convert the Chakmas into Christianity. But they are not successful after so many years of persuation, and lure of job and other facilities. Very few Chakmas have converted to Christianity and those few converts are also not from elite families but from the poorer section of the society. There are also instances of reconversion into the original faith Buddhism. The Chakmas even hesitate to send their children in the Missionary Schools due to the religious teachings. It is also a fact that the Chakmas are suspicious of the Christian Mizos after the killing of Chigonya Chakma, (the first Christian Chakma in the Lushai Hills) along with two of his colleagues in 1966 by the MNF at Kauduar when they went to fetch their belongings from their village, Betbonya.

    The acceptance of Bengali language by the Chakmas in their schools as medium of instruction is also believed to be another cause of differences. Some Mizo leaders and educationist believe that the people of Mizoram should learn the state language, Mizo. They still blame G.N.Chatterjee, the First Education Director in Mizoram for approving the Bengali language in Mizoram. But the acceptance of Bengali by the Chakmas is not for the hatred of Mizo language. It is rather for the closer relation between Bengali and 'Changhma (Chakma)' since there is seventy to eighty percent similarity in wording. Further Bengali is a developed language and the Chakmas have accepted it during British period.

    The Chakma issue came into limelight immediately after the collapse of Brig. T. Sailo's Peoples Conference Government in 1978 at the withdrawal of support by the then independent Chakma MLA Dangu Kristo Mohan Chakma. He withdrew his support from the Peoples Conference Govt. in favour of Congress party. Being a minority community, the Chakmas always support the political parties of the Central Govt. with the psychological belief to get closer relation with the Central leadership and to acquire their sympathy and protection from any oppression, suppression and any nefarious activities from any hostile corner. Brig. T. Sailo and his colleagues of People Conference Party could not tolerate such withdrawal and started propaganda against the Chakmas alleging them as Foreigners and Illegal infiltrators. They also withdrew the privileges like job reservation, seat reservation etc. from the Chakmas and tried to drive them away from their villages by making the Chakmas inhabited areas as Wild Life Sanctuary at Tuipuibari and Puankhai area and Riverine Forest Reserve.

   The Chakmas Issue also got promonance after the report clashes between the underground MNF out fits and the underground Shanti Bahinis (now known as PCJSS) in Bangladesh. The MNF and the MNF symphatisers started propaganda against the Chakmas of Mizoram as a relation against the Shanti Bahinis, who are mostly Chakmas. And the Chakmas of Mizoram become the target of the Fundamentalist Mizos.

   The communal Mizos started propaganda against the Chakmas to raise the Mizo sentiment and started spreading also and malicious propaganda against the Chakmas. They published fabricated stories in news papers and magazines to the extend of a dreamt story, a rumour and of news from unknown source. The state authority was also found to be silent spectator as no one dare to go against the 'Mizo sentiment' and to be branded as 'Takam (Chakma) symphatiser'. Now the propagandas are very successful in their nefarious schemes and they could raise the 'Mizo Sentiment' especially in the young section.

   The communal and fundamentalist Mizos started to show a false Census Report on the Chakmas from 1901.They have utilised this alleged Census Report in their Memorandum to the Central Govt. and in other official records and correspondences, they have also widely published the said report in every news papers and magazines in Mizoram. On the basis of the above false Census figure, now the politicians and the young activists are vomiting fires against the Chakmas in their public addresses, meetings, articles and other correspondences. Now the situation have become so grave that there is every chances of rising a communal riot against the peace loving Chakmas at a slightest pretext.

    The creator of that false Census Report is Pu F. Lianchhinga of Serkawn, Lunglei. In his book - 'PHEICHHAMMAN CHAKMA-TE' published in 1992, he stated at page 45. (please read the whole book if available in stock)

BUDDHIST TRIBALS SEEK JUSTICE,The Shillong Times,June 27,1981/July 30,2009

By The Shillong Times

     The Indian Buddhist council has urged the centre to stop "repressive measure" against the Buddhist tribal minorities in north-eastern region.It express concerned concern at the centre's apathy towards Buddhist tribal's plight.
     The Central Executive Committee of the Indian Buddhist Council which met recently in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Justice Mr. R. R. Bho'e, M. P. discussed at length the social sevil and religious disabilities and difficulties faced by the Ahom,Chakma and Mogh Buddhist tribal communities of Northeast and asked the Government to initiate special schemes to eradicate the economic exploitation and political persecution meted out to these Buddhist ethnic tribals.
      The Committee regretted that the Chakma Buddhist tribal were subjected to "all forms of persecution's in Arunachal Pradesh and they were even deprived of the equal rights and privileges as citizens of the country.It demanded that the Chakma Buddhist tribal settled and rehabilitated in the Union Territory be given citizenship rights,due protection and "share of development".
              The Committee said the Ahom Buddhist tribal Section was in all respect qualified to be classified as scheduled tribe in view of their pristine tribal customs and characteristics and of their struggle with an under developed tribal economy being deprived of their due benefits under tribal schemes.The Committee described this as a clear case of "segregation and perpetuated discrimination" againstnthe community and urged upon the Centre to intervene in their problems in the national interest and enact Suitable legislation to treat the Ahom Buddhist tribal section scheduled tribe of Assam for their around protection and development.
       It brought to Centre's attention that the Mogh Buddhist tribal of Tripura were familiar with only the Burmese-oriented educational system and they remained socially and educationally backward so long for not being provided with such facility.
      The Committee therefore pleaded for introducing the Burmese system of education for Mogh Buddhist tribal students.
       Meanwhile,three Buddhist tribal leaders,namely  Mr. B Gogoi (Assam), Mr S. K. Chakma (Tripura) and Mr A. M. Chakma (Arunachal Pradesh) met Dr. Gopal Singh,Chairman of the High Power penel on Minorities,Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and other Weaker Sections in New Delhi and submitted representations reiterating the earlier demands of the Buddhist tribals of the Northeast region.
      Later,Mr. S. K. Chakma conveyor of the Buddhist Minorities Protection Committee said the Buddhist ethnic tribals were so long considered "unnecessary elements" in the country.
      Mr. Chakma hoped the Centre would render "parental duty " to protect the them from further onslaught of the "reactionary politics".

BORAPANSURY: A Glimpse

By Suman Chakma

View here

Borapansury Primary Health Centre (PHC)

Overview: Borapansury is a village located in Chawngte Block in Lawngtlai District of Mizoram State, India. It is located 116 KM towards west from District head quarters Lawngtlai. 30.04 KM from Chawngte. 288 KM from State capital Aizawl. Borapansury village has been divided into two parts. The northern part is called Borapansury I and the southern part is called Borapansury II. Both villages lies on the border with Bangladesh. 

There are 288 House Holds in Borapansury I. The population in Borapansury I village is 1,367 of which 726 (53%) are males while 641 (47%) are females. And in Borapansury II There are 265 House Holds.  The population in Borapansury II is 1,262 of which 644 (51%) are males while 618 (49%) are females as per the survey of census during 2011 by Indian Government.

Scheduled Cast in Borapansury I are 0 (0%)  and in Borapansury II are 2 (0%) . Therefore, total Scheduled Tribe in Borapansury I are 1,327 (97% ) and in Borapansury II are 1,246 (99% ).

In Borapansury I village population of children with age 0-6 is 202 which makes up 14.78 % of total population of village and in Borapansury II is 205 which makes up 16.24 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Borapansury I village is 883 and in Borapansury II is 960 which is lower than Mizoram state average of 976. Child Sex Ratio for the Borapansury I as per census is 1040 and for Borapansury II is 1050, higher than Mizoram average of 970. 

Borapansury I and Borapansury II villages have lower literacy rate compared to Mizoram. In 2011, literacy rate of Borapansury I village was 55.19 % and of Borapansury II 69.63 % compared to 91.33 % of Mizoram. In Borapansury I Male literacy stands at 70.49 % and in Borapansury II at at 86.21 % while female literacy rate was 37.36 % and 52.05 % respectively. 

As per constitution of India and Panchyati Raaj Act, Borapansury I and II villages are administrated by Sarpanch (Head of Village) who is elected representative of village. 

Caste Factor

In Borapansury I and II villages, most of the village population is from Schedule Tribe (ST). Schedule Tribe (ST) constitutes 97.07 % of total population in Borapansury I village and in II constitutes 98.73 %. There is no population of Schedule Caste (SC) in Borapansury I village  of Lawngtlai while 0.16 % of total population were in Borapansury II. 

Work Profile

In Borapansury I village out of total population, 586 were engaged in work activities. 67.92 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 32.08 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 586 workers engaged in Main Work, 233 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 2 were Agricultural labourer.

Meanwhile, In Borapansury II village out of total population, 485 were engaged in work activities. 93.20 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 6.80 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 485 workers engaged in Main Work, 273 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 14 were Agricultural labourer.

Population of Borapansury I and II in table (1 and 2) according to census 2011:

                                                                      
                                                                                           Table 1

Total No. of Houses	288	-	-
Population	1,367	726	641
Child (0-6)	202	99	103
Schedule Caste	0	0	0
Schedule Tribe	1,327	686	641
Literacy	55.19 %	70.49 %	37.36 %
Total Workers	586	387	199
Main Worker	398	0	0
Marginal Worker	188	0	0

                                                                                          Table 2

Total No. of Houses                     265                           -                                     -
Population                                    1,262                     644                                 618
Child (0-6)                                    205                        100                                 105
Schedule Caste                             2                              1                                     1
Schedule Tribe                             1,246                     632                                  614
Literacy                                        69.63 %                86.21 %                         52.05 %
Total Workers                              485                       317                                 168
Main Worker                                452                         0                                     0
Marginal Worker                          33                           0                                     0


"Every person whether temporary or permanent need an address. So am I,where I was born and did my primary studies. I shall be talking merely about this place besides my personal instincts. I love my homeland and shall be always haunted by the affection of this land and its people. The environment of this particular place is quite different from rest of the places of its kind as I did observed."
                                                                        
Borapansury, as we can recall, the first Head Quarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council  (aka CADC). I better not to refer why the Head Quarter was shifted to present Kamalanagar as it makes me sentimental. Borapansury with its unique geographical topography is situated at the extreme south-western part of Mizoram, a small state in United India. It is flanked by Bangladesh in the western part whereas it is flanked by Lunglei District in the Eastern part. The map of CADC where Borapansury is within looks like a long battle sword-shaped. Its area is so much small that it is the smallest Autonomous District Council (ADC) comprised in Mizoram.The CADC was formed on 29th April in the year 1972 when Mizoram was upgraded from the then Union Territory to independent State.

Borapanury Govt. High School (at present) is shown above here

Borapansury is now the second Head Quarters of CADC and with highest literacy percentage. It is geographically situated on the bank of locally famous river Pansury, from where its name originated after the river. As the Chakma peoples love to live on the bank of river. This place is also situated on the bank of the river. The houses are concentrated equally on both the banks of the river. About seven to eight hundreds house holds are there, which means around 2,000-2,5000 populations.They are traditionally bond and thus the most eldest one is being highly respected in the family in particular and in the village in general. And also they are faithful in God. The Chakma peoples are originally Buddhist and are believe to be descendant of the Lord Buddha. Most of the successful person in CADC today is from this particular place. However, the peoples of this place is more influenced by politics which is one of the principle reason that the people of today vary from the very past.

Jagat Jyoti Buddha Vihar at Borapansury

Below in pictures is given the only Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Borapansury which has been laying idle for last 20 years:

To know more about Borapansury Primary Health Centre (PHC) please follow links below :
http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/borapansury-phc-campaign-banner-in-kamala-nagar/?relatedposts_exclude=633

Media coverage:
http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/prez-intervenes-to-open-phc-lying-defunct-for-20-years/


Link: http://suman-chakma.blogspot.in/2011/04/about-barapansury-only.html

Let us live on it

By Suman Chakma

With the very beginning of the new year 2011,we pray to the God to pour us his eternal bless that is 'humanity' would remain inside us forever.There are thousands and thousands of communities,tribes,clan and so on and also several numbers of religion which is the principle reason for which the world now is.It is filled with corruption and violation of laws.One nation oppose the other especially with the neighboring one,competing for the same thing but with bad intentions.

Lets erase all the evil ideas and bring up the new world 'A Peaceful One'.