The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, an apex student body of Mizoram on Wednesday lodged an FIR at Kawnpui police station against the alleged illegal Chakmas settling at Kolasib district.
The Mizo Zirlai Pawl alleged there are six illegal Chakma families settling near Hrangakai Rapids near Tlawng river in Mizoram. The student body also said they were asked to leave by Hortoki village council authorities but to no avail. Hortoki village authorities have seized several country made rifles from these Chakmas, the student body alleged.
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Hortoki village council treasurer Remlalliana said they have visited the Chakma settlement where six families with a total of 25 persons including children are living.
“They claimed to have come from Cachar district in Assam but they do not posses any documents which could identify them as bonafide Indian citizens,” Remlalliana said.
“Without any permission from the village council authorities they started jhum cultivation and harvest forest bounty,” Remlalliana added.
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The alleged illegal settlement was discovered by Hortoki villagers in early December and local council authorities visited the settlement in late December. The village authorities allegedly found country made rifles from their possession and seized those arms.
Hortoki village council officials also said there are other illegal Chakma settlements adjacent to Mamit district. It has decided not to interfere as it is beyond council jurisdiction.
It is estimated that around 80,000 Chakmas live in Mizoram and they constitute the second largest ethnic group in the state. The census of 2001 has recorded their total population to be 71,283. They mostly live in the south western part of the state.
The larger NGOs of Mizoram have made strong allegations that there is illegal migration of Chakmas from the southern international border.