In a major development, the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the largest and most influential civil society organization in Mizoram, has demanded that names of Bru voters, who are unwilling to return to Mizoram from Tripura despite repeated appeals, should be deleted from the state’s electoral roll.
Also read: Mizoram: Displaced Bru tribals unaware of enrolment of first time voters
According to reports, the Central Committee of YMA convened an executive meeting on Saturday at its office over the issue.
YMA president Vanlalruata had said that the meeting was critical of the Bru refugees for their reluctance to return to Mizoram despite repeated repatriation attempts.
He further added that the meeting later unanimously resolved to ensure that names of those Bru voters who are unwilling to return to Mizoram are removed from state’s electoral roll.
He also said that both the State Government and civil societies wanted the Bru refugees to come back to their villages in Mizoram.
The YMA president also warned that no electoral process should be conducted inside the relief camps in Tripura where the Bru refugees are lodged.
Before the State Assembly polls in November last year, NGO Coordination Committee, an umbrella body of all major civil societies and students bodies in Mizoram, had staged state-wide massive protests,which forced the Election Commission to remove the then state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SB Shashank for his alleged attempt to enroll Bru voters from Tripura.
Meanwhile, first time voters of Bru tribals are in dilemma as they are not sure whether their names are included in final electoral roll of Mizoram published on Friday. Bru leaders were of the opinion they will enquire the matter to state election officials.
