ZoRO to move Government of India, Myanmar, Bangladesh to stop big projects in Zo territory
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, January 31 2016: Zo-Reunification Organisation (ZoRO), the Chin-Kuki- Mizo-Zomi group organization has resolved to move the Govt.of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh to stop all big projects in Zo territory.

The ZoRO Convention held on 29 January to mark the 124th anniversary of Chin-Lushai Conference resolved that it will move to the Government of India and neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh to stop construction of Hydel Project and Oil and natural Gas Exploration being under way within the territories of the ZO people until and unless they adhere to the norms in line with UN Declaration of 2007 .

The ZoRO in a resolution also resolved to strengthen the Zo integration by way of Re-Unification envisaged vide articles 3, 45 and 46(2) and (3) of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Rights of 2007 .

It said that it has resolved to request the Government of India to dismantle all the border fencing dividing the Zo territory, thereby restricting their social, cultural, spiritual, economic and political contact with one another across international boundaries in line with the UN Declaration article 36 of 2007 .

Among several resolutions passed during the convention held at Vanpa Hall on 29 January, ZoRO resolved to move the Government of India to keep constructions of Railways and International Highways in Zo Indigenous Peoples' territory in abeyance till the Indian Railway and International Highways norms are revised on the basis of the special category in conformity with the reservation policy for the scheduled tribes in India and the UN Declaration against the exploitations in line with article 46 of the Indian constitution and BEFR 1875 and its amendment in 1930 (ILP) .

It decided to reserve chieftainship till and such time as the democracy can be opted after due deliberation provided all the traditional authority and position of the chief recognized by the British are retained by the Zo people in Manipur state.

"The deprived Zo chiefs rights should be restored to all the Zo indigenous chieftainship within the whole territory of the Zo people," ZoRO said in its resolution.

The ZoRO during its convention also elected R.Sangkawia as its president to replace its former president R.Thangmawia who died in Geneva while attending 8th UN Session on Expert Mechanism on The Rights of the Indigenous People held in July last year.

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