Mizoram CM urges PM against repatriation of Myanmarese refugees
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 06 2024: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma called on Prime Minister Narendra at the latter's official residence in New Delhi on Saturday and informed him about his government's stand against repatriation of refugees from Myanmar.

Reports said that, during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Lalduhoma highlighted the critical issues facing Mizoram, including the relocation of Assam Rifles, the state's land holding policy, and the situation of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo who have sought refuge in Mizoram from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Modi was presented with a selection of Mizo fresh fruits and vegetables, such as Sapthei (Passion Fruit), Dragon Fruit, Balhla, and Mautuai.

The CM also called on parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju and secured a commitment for the implementation of 29 out of 65 urgent projects under the PMJVK scheme, with assurances that the remaining projects would be addressed soon.

Earlier in January this year, Lalduhoma also met with Prime Minister and discussed the sensitive issue of the Indo-Myanmar border.

Lalduhoma reiterated his position during his New Delhi visit, stating, "Any move to fence the border would approve the border created by the British, dividing the ethnic Mizos.

It shall be unacceptable for us" .

The Chief Minister had also previously conveyed to Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar that any attempt to fence the border was "unacceptable" .

Lalduhoma argued that the British colonial administration's division of Mizo lands between India and Burma (now Myanmar) was an artificial separation of a historically unified ethnic group.

"The British divided the Mizo ethnic people's land from ancient times into two parts by carving out Burma from India.

We cannot accept the border as it stands, and we dream of becoming a nation under one administration," Lalduhoma told Jaishankar earlier this year.

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