By Suman Chakma
It is not in my DNA to be a communal bigot while articulating the emotions on the frequent clash between the Chakmas and the Mizos in Mizoram, which erupts mostly either politically, socially, ethnically or religiously. I truly feel very bad for that. The Chakmas of Mizoram should accept that the Mizos are their elder brothers and the Mizos should accept the Chakmas as their younger brothers or vice versa, as both of them have the same onus in order to making Mizoram, a Peaceful and a Prosperous state. They should live like the different sides of the same coin. I love Mizoram and all other peoples living in it as much as I do my own for their hospitality, compassion and helping hands, mostly when I happen to heard a visitor say those former three words about the peoples of Mizoram. Mizoram is my home land.
It is not in my DNA to be a communal bigot while articulating the emotions on the frequent clash between the Chakmas and the Mizos in Mizoram, which erupts mostly either politically, socially, ethnically or religiously. I truly feel very bad for that. The Chakmas of Mizoram should accept that the Mizos are their elder brothers and the Mizos should accept the Chakmas as their younger brothers or vice versa, as both of them have the same onus in order to making Mizoram, a Peaceful and a Prosperous state. They should live like the different sides of the same coin. I love Mizoram and all other peoples living in it as much as I do my own for their hospitality, compassion and helping hands, mostly when I happen to heard a visitor say those former three words about the peoples of Mizoram. Mizoram is my home land.
It is like a tradition to pass hate-speech, pseudo propagandas among the commoners in Mizoram down to generations. The prime reason for the clash between the Chakmas and the Mizos is due to deep misunderstanding since a very long time. Mizo peoples always blame the Chakmas that they did not contribute and shed a single drop of blood while fighting for the statehood of Mizoram, which of their belief is partially wrong. Many Chakma ancestors did it. But in my deep heart I feel the same situations which my fellow Chakma brethren felt during that time. They were helpless. Most of the Chakmas in Mizoram were and are living geographically along the national and international border lines where Indian government has also camped several groups of military cadres like Border Security Force (BSF) and others etc. along the Chakma villages. So, they had to obey them and work for them mostly as porters during that time to earn their square meals. Moreover, they were uneducated, unemployed and also due to lack of communication among the then Lushais (now Mizos) and the Chakmas results the opposite feelings. They preferred to go to Silchar in Cachar district (Assam) for studying then to cross to the other side of Tuichawng (Toizong in Chakma) river to Chawngte-P in Lai Council areas which is now one of the three Chawngtes, the others are Chawngte-C for the Chakmas now (aka Kamalanagar, the heart of Chakma Council) and Chawngte-L, and to Tlabung as they were feared and haunted by the scary of the then militant group, the Mizo National Front (MNF). As there were only two places to top education i.e. Matriculation that time in south-western part of Mizoram where most of the Chakmas live.
One of such anti-Chakmas remarks, pseudo propagandas was first started by Pu F.Lianchhinga of Serkawn, Lunglei. In his book-'PHEICHHAMMAN CHAKMA-TE' which was published in 1992, he stated at page 45 (please read the whole book for details if available in stock). And the other reason for their insecurity in relation is due to the 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.
Let me add an instance here to make the heading crystal clear which was started and given below:
On 23rd Aug 2013: MZP with large number of cadres visited Borapansury. One among many visits. MZP cadres forced local residents to remain locked inside their homes. Physically assaulted a person and made him stand in Jesus Crucifix position under the hot sun for hours. The MZP not only humiliated the local Chakmas but also insulted Jesus Christ by forcefully repeating his crucified post.
11th March 2014: All India radio Aizawl announced about MZP’s impending visit.
13th March 2014: Local residents submitted petition to the DC – Lawngtlai District for security citing reasons why they fear MZP’s move and hence oppose.
2nd May 2014: MZP with 35 cadres visited the Borapansury. Put up illegal signboards at the encroached land (2500+ sqm) site. MZP cadres defecated in the open in spite of available toilets, to humiliate the local residents. Demanded forced labour whenever they come to construct MZP Chawlbuk at the encroached site. Ordered local people and VCPs to look after the signboards. Ate eatables from many shops without any payment. Demanded dog meat to be served when they come to visit next.
21st May 2014: Joint petition to CEM-CADC, governor, Home Minister, DC-Lawngtlai etc. for justice.
22nd May 2014: CEM of CADC clarified with a letter that No land has been allotted to MZP and shall not be allotted.
23rd May 2014: CEM-CADC wrote to DC-Lawngtlai to remove the illegal encroachment at Borapansury.
30th May 2014: Seeing no response from the State authority and left with no option the local people with the help of JAC (combining all NGOs, all political parties and Community elders) submitted a final appeal to the authority through the CEM-CADC to remove the encroachment within 2nd June 2014, else public decided to peacefully boycott the upcoming MDC bye-election at Borapansury-II on 4th June 2014 to make their issue heard by the State Govt.
31st May 2014: Instead of Govt authority to discuss the matter with local residents MZP cadres lead by its president Lalmachhuana arrived at Borapansury. Sought to meet the Joint Action Committee leaders, verbally threatened of bloodshed if they are not allowed to do whatever they like at the encroached land site, and accused every Chakma of being a foreigner. MZP cadres put up another sign board.
1st June 2014: MZP team visited Borapansury again and left Borapansury only after the MDC by-poll was boycotted peacefully sans any retaliation by the local Chakmas which was after warning, if the MZP do not remove their Chawlbuk from Borapansury. They are silent does not mean that they can't, but they want Mizoram to be peaceful, which is good for one and all of the Mizoramans.
All the above shenanigans operated by the MZPs at Borapansury led by its President, Lalmachhuana is a far wrong direction for the entire peoples of Mizoram towards peace and prosperity. In my opinion Lalmachhuana is not even qualified for the membership of MZP if the Organization truly aims that they are the strongest and more active organization towards safe guarding and making MIzoram a Peace, Prosperous and a Corrupt-free state.
Note: CADC: Chakma Autonomous District Council in Mizoram.
CEM: Chief Executive Member, the head of the Autonomous Council.
DC: Deputy Commissioner, the head of a particular district.
JAC: Joint Action Committe, a Chakma organization formed by all the NGOs, Political Parties, Religious Groups of CADC.
MZP: Mizo Zirlai Pawl, an apex student organization group in Mizoram.
Read this article on Meri News.
CEM: Chief Executive Member, the head of the Autonomous Council.
DC: Deputy Commissioner, the head of a particular district.
JAC: Joint Action Committe, a Chakma organization formed by all the NGOs, Political Parties, Religious Groups of CADC.
MZP: Mizo Zirlai Pawl, an apex student organization group in Mizoram.
Read this article on Meri News.