Propaganda Against the Chakmas of Mizoram, Being Bangladeshi Illegal Immigrants

By Lakshmi Bhusan Chakma

It is found that the Chakmas of Mizoram are always termed as Bangladeshi illegal immigrants. I find it nothing but a racial and political propaganda against the Chakmas to attract Vote Bank and assert as a community hero! In reality the Chakmas cannot influence any illegal entry since the Central and State offices are not manned by the Chakmas. They have no source to influence any illegal entry or encourage entry of illegal Bangladeshi foreigners. Since the job facilities to the Chakmas under the State Govt. are almost nil. Only a few constabulary and local teachers are  appointed under the State Govt. from the Chakmas The Govt. machineries are not occupied by the Chakmas. All the Govt. machineries are occupied by the Mizo and other community people. How can the Chakmas make entry without the knowledge of the State officials? The agencies which can detect entry of illegal foreigners like BSF, local Police, intelligence agencies, Civil Administration, Civil Supply, Election Department etc department could have easily detected from the periodical population report submitted to them. They could have easily detected such illegal entries from the periodical report. Or can we say that the State machineries were sleeping?

We know it very well that by a standing order of 1949 of the Superintendent of Lushai Hills and Deputy Commissioner, Aijal, entry of Chakmas and Brus were blocked. The order has not been revoked yet. How can Chakmas and Brus illegally enter into Mizo District and Mizoram under the close watch of the state machineries? So, it is nothing but a political Propaganda at the expense of the Chakmas to assert oneself as a Community Hero and a good politician.

The Propagandas are so successful in inciting the racial sentiment that many Chakmas names were deleted in 1995 from the existing Voter List under conspiracy. The fear of illegal Chakma immigrants entry has become so tensed that even a doctor is denying to treat a Chama woman coming to him for delivery of child, whose duty is to treat any patient irrespective of caste, creed, religion or nationality as per his doctoral oath. We have seen many foreigners were treated in India during Pandemic Covid-19 outbreak. But the SDMO of Tlabung Hospital has denied to treat Chakma pregnant woman without voter identity card, reportedly to prevent illegal Bangladeshi entry. In that case what will be the fate of Chakma pregnant woman who could not procure a voter identity card or who has not attained the age of 18 prescribed for a Voter ID since the Chakma Customary Law allows marriage at the age of 16 ? Is it ethical for a doctor to involve in political and racial matters? If he has any suspicion on the nationality of a person he can inform the police for investigation. His primary duty should be to work for humanity. For political decision, I feel there is the State Govt. and our state politicians and leadership. They can beep up the state machineries against illegal entries.

Let sense of humanity prevail in Mizoram.