Centre may take up bill to amend Article 280; empowering ADCs

The move is likely to see devolution of taxes to a third tier of government - autonomous councils for tribals, which operate under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.

New Delhi: The Union government is expected to take up The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019, that seeks to include autonomous councils in the ambit of the Finance Commission, which divides taxes between the Centre and states, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told HT on Tuesday.

A standing committee of Parliament had already looked into the Bill, the BJP leader said. Following this a federal panel under the home ministry was also formed to look into the matter.

The move is likely to see devolution of taxes to a third tier of government — autonomous councils for tribals, which operate under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.

“This proposal is there. In our context, we fully support the demand of the autonomous Councils for devolution of taxes. Discussion on The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill by the standing committee is already over. The government of India is in the process of bringing the amendment. We are hopeful we’ll see something positive in the coming Budget session of Parliament,” the chief minister said.

Sarma is slated to campaign for his party in the ensuing Delhi polls on Wednesday.

The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Union government in 2019. It amends provisions related to the Finance Commission and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Bodoland Territorial Council, an autonomous authority in Assam’s Bodo tribal areas, has demanded inclusion of these self-governing council in tribal areas in Article 280 of the Constitution, which governs the Finance Commissions.

The Bodoland Territorial council is an autonomous administrative authority in Assam’s Bodo tribal areas comprising five districts.

The council this month saw the completion of five years of the 2020 Bodo peace accord signed between the Centre, the Bodos and the Assam government to devolve more powers, financial and administrative, to tribal authorities under the federal structure of the Constitution.

Before the accord, the Bodo areas had seen a long period of insurgency and instability. Peace has returned to the region after the 2020 agreement.

Currently, there are 10 Autonomous District Councils in the north-eastern states of India. These are:

Assam: Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council.

Meghalaya: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.

Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.

Mizoram: Chakma Autonomous District Council, Lai Autonomous District Council and Mara Autonomous District Council.

The Constitution, through Article 280 to 281, provides for finance commissions, set up every five years to arrive at a mechanism for division of taxes and revenues vertically i.e. between the Centre and states, and horizontally, i.e. among all states, based on their levels of development, prosperity and regional needs.

All previous Finance Commissions have incrementally increased states’ share in the pool of taxes. The 14th Finance Commission recommended a quantum leap, increasing states’ share by 10 percentage points to 42%. One of the preceding 15th Finance Commission’s mandate was to review the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendations. In the interim report for 2020-21, states’ share was cut to 41% because of the creation of new Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Situation in Bangladesh's CHT extremely dire and alarming: Santu Larma

Rangamati, 26 January 2025: Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council and President of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), stated that the situation in the CHT is deeply abnormal and alarming. He warned that the 14 indigenous communities of the region are on the verge of extinction. The Jumma people of the CHT are living with a sense of insecurity and an uncertain future.

On Saturday (January 25), Santu Larma made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar and discussion meeting in Rangamati, addressing the overall situation of the indigenous communities in the CHT and the role of society. The event was organized by the CHT Chapter of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum at the Ashika Hall Room in Rangamati’s New Market area.

Santu Larma highlighted an incident involving graffiti, describing it as an unwanted occurrence that showcased the marginalization of Bangladesh’s 51 indigenous ethnic groups. The graffiti initially included the words Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous Peoples, but the section mentioning “Indigenous” was torn off, symbolizing exclusion.

He further added, “Extremists do not want to recognise that Bangladesh is a pluralistic country. The 14 indigenous communities in the CHT are not only marginalized but are losing their very existence. The ruling class disrespects indigenous communities by labeling them as ‘tribals’ or ‘small ethnic groups’ instead of recognizing their names, such as Chakma, Marma, Khiyang, or Tripura. These terms carry a sense of insult and neglect.”

He also pointed out that the ruling class fears the word “indigenous.” If the Bangladesh government acknowledges the term as per United Nations recommendations, it would have to ratify international treaty that uphold indigenous rights. He explained that indigenous peoples are defined by their distinct characteristics, which are widely recognized and documented.

The seminar was chaired by Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, President of the CHT chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum. Other speakers included KS Mong Marma, a member of the Regional Council; Aungcha Mong Marma, Organizational Secretary of the Hill Tracts Indigenous Forum; Madhu Mongol Chakma, Deputy Organizational Secretary; writer Shishir Chakma; Thowaiaung Marma, President of the CHT Headman Network; Lelung Khumi, Secretary for Student and Youth Affairs of the Hill Tracts Indigenous Forum; lawyer Dinonath Tanchangya; cultural personality Manoj Bahadur Gurkha; and Forum members Namita Chakma and General Secretary Intumoni Talukder.

The speakers criticized the ruling Awami League government for failing to implement the CHT peace accord during its 15 years of power. Instead, the government has harassed the PCJSS with false cases, they alleged.

Bangladesh: CHT Accord Implementation Committee reconstituted

File photo of the signing of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997.

Dhaka, 20 January, 2025: The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee has been reconstituted in accordance with Section 3 of Part ‘A’ of the CHT Accord signed in 1997. This committee has been reconstituted through a gazette notification signed by Mohammad Nahid Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs, on 12 January 2025.

Md. Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs advisor of the Interim Government, has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The other two ex-officio members of the three-member Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee are Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, president of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), and Sudatta Chakma, chairman of the Task Force on the Rehabilitation of India-returnee Tribal Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.

It is to be noted that the scope of work of the CHT Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee are– To monitor and supervise the implementation process of the CHT Accord; To coordinate the activities of all ministries and departments including all subordinate government, semi-government, autonomous organizations and authorities related to the implementation process of this Accord, and to provide necessary advice/instructions; To take necessary measures to resolve problems related to the implementation of this Accord and to provide recommendations to the government if necessary; To supervise activities related to the repatriation and rehabilitation of refugees; To supervise activities related to the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

This gazette notification states that all ministries/departments will comply with the decisions and instructions of the Accord Implementation Committee and will take necessary measures accordingly.

Bangladesh recognises CHT as ‘foreign affairs issue'

Chakma body welcomes move, says it is a historic shift

New Delhi: Jan 15, 2025: The interim government of Bangladesh has recognised the  Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region as a “foreign affairs issue”.

The government also notified reconstitution of the CHT Accord Implementation & Monitoring Committee with Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hussain as the Convenor and Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, President of the Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) and Suddatta Chakmna, Chairman of the Task Force for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of the Returnee Refugees from India.

The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) on Wednesday welcomed this move.

In 1997, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord was signed between insurgent JSS and Bangladesh Army to bring peace to the region.

“This historic shift of the Government of Bangladesh to recognise the Chittagong Hill Tracts as a subject matter of foreign affairs is welcome. The Chittagong Hill Tracts despite having 98.5% non-Muslim populations was awarded to Pakistan in violations of the letter and spirit of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 under which two dominions for Muslims and non-Muslims were created out of British India. The indigenous people of the CHTs had raised Indian flags on 15th August 1947 before being illegally awarded to Pakistan on August 17, 1947,” said Suhas Chakma, founder of the CDFI.

The successive governments of Bangladesh have not taken any measures to implement the CHTs Accord of 1997. The military camps have not been withdrawn, the lands illegally occupied by the illegal plain settlers were not returned, refugees have not been properly rehabilitated and resettled, and no elections to the CHTs Regional Council and three Hill Districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts has been held as on date, the CDFI said in a statement.

Bangladesh: Adivasi students protesting against removal of the word ‘Adivasi’ from texbooks attacked by Islamic students group, several injured

The Adivasi students belonging to Songkhubda Adivasi Chhatra Janata group had organised a protest outside the NCTB to oppose the removal of the word 'Adivasi' from the back cover of the 9th and 10th grade Bangla Grammar and Composition Textbook

Dhaka, 15 Jan, 2025: Several students belonging to the Adivasi community were brutally attacked by members of a group of Bengali Muslims called Students for Sovereignty in Motijheel area of Dhaka in Bangladesh on Wednesday. According to reports, the students from the minority Adivasi community were protesting in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) against the removal of graffiti with the word ‘Adivasi’ in school textbooks. On the other hand, the other group was supporting the removal.

As per reports, the Adivasi students belonging to Songkhubda Adivasi Chhatra Janata group had organised a protest outside the NCTB to oppose the removal of the word ‘Adivasi’ from the back cover of the 9th and 10th grade Bangla Grammar and Composition Textbook on January. The word Adivasi was used on the back cover of the textbook with a picture depicting a tree with five leaves, each inscribed with a term for a religious or ethnic community in Bangladesh including Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Adivasi. Next to the picture was a message that read, ‘Tearing leaves is prohibited’.

The picture was removed from the online version of the book after the Islamic Chhatra Shibir students from the ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group surrounded the NCTB premises on January 12.

The Adivasi students under the banner ‘Agitated Adivasi Students’ gathered near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University on Wednesday morning, from where they marched towards the NCTB office to hold a protest. However, the members of ‘Students for Sovereignty’ reached the NCTB office in advance to stop the protesters. Anticipating trouble, the police arrived, and when the Adivasi group arrived, the cops tried to keep the two groups separated.

But a clash broke out between them. Police tried to move the two groups farther from each other. But eventually, the ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group overpowered the police, and attacked the Adivasi students. The attackers were armed with sticks. Several Adivasi students sustained serious injuries during the attack. Subsequently, the Adivasi students were reportedly chased away by the other group. ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group remained in front of the office, armed with sticks.

“The Adivasi protestors have left the area after being chased off by the students. Now the situation has returned to normal. The students are staying on one side of the road”, said Motijheel Inspector Mohainmenul Islam.

According to reports, 11 students have been injured in the attacks. Two students sustained grievous injuries and were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Rupaya Shresta Tacnchongya, Ishaba Renyoung Mro, Dhanajetra, Juwel Mark, Shaili, and Tani Charing are among the injured students. The attackers have reportedly been identified as Mohammed Abu Sadiq Qayem, President of the Islamic Chhatra Shibir in Dhaka University, S M Farhad, Secretary and Mohammed Yakub Majumdar, Joint Convenor of the Students for Sovereignty.

Muhammad Ziaul Haque Zia , Convenor of the Students for Sovereignty, described the word ‘Adivasi’ as seditious. “Our demands have only been partially met by removing the graffiti featuring an imagery of united India with the seditious term ‘Adivasi’ from the cover of the textbook. But we also demanded the removal of Rakhal Raha alias Sajjad, who was on the revision committee, and the formation of an investigation committee to identify those involved in this”, he told bdnews24.

Tejang Chakma, Deputy Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) said that the group would seek the UN intervention in the matter. “The RRAG shall take up the issue with the United Nations, diplomatic community and the interim government to arrest the culprits. The real face of Dr Mohammad Yunus is coming out and Adivasi students cannot even protest in capital Dhaka with safety”, said Chakma.

Chakma girl bags silver in 12th South Asian Games 2016

Dangubi Fullapati Chakma

Guwahati 7 Feb, 2016: On the second day of competitions in Guwahati on Sunday, female weightlifter Dangubi Fullapati Chakma from Bangladesh won a silver medal in the 58kg category by lifting a total of 144kg -- 63kg in snatch and 81kg in clean and jerk. 

The 21-year-old weightlifter hails from Rangamati town in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladsh. 

Mizoram: CNCI State Unit demands white paper on "Chakma Census"

KAMALANAGAR: The decision of the CYMA to go ahead with their resolve to conduct census on the Chakmas as learnt from a report of the Vanglaini issue dated 11.5.2015 has upset the Chakmas.

“To single out the Chakmas as a community for subject to census without genuine ground and that also by a non-state entity is but a humiliation and assault to their dignity as human being. Chakmas are equal citizen of Mizoram and they deserve equal treatment in all respects from the State Government,” the Chakma National Council of India said in a statement released.

It is quite normal for a duty bound citizen to get alarmed by any events/incidents of abnormal nature. However, it does not legitimize someone or for that matter any non-state entity to take the law into their hand. What the rule book warrants is to approach the concerned legitimate authority and urge them to address the issue.

“The Government of Mizoram should come up with a clear stand on the resolve made by CYMA to go ahead with their illegitimate exercise to conduct census on the Chakmas who are also equal citizen of Mizoram and whether Mizoram Government is not duty bound to enforce the rule of Law?” they said.

Time and again the Chakma issue has reared up its ugly head and yet there has been a conspicuous lack of action and policy to resolve the issue for once and all on the parts of the Government. Ultimately, the sufferers are the minority Chakmas. As a result this has contributed to build up a trust deficit between the two communities and which is not healthy for the overall development of the State, observed CNCI.

“CNCI is clueless as to what has caused the urgency to suddenly jump on to such an exercise to conduct census on the Chakmas. What is the justification, the CYMA has decided to take up the census of the Chakmas? Whether, the CYMA have been alarmed by any evidence confirming about the abnormal growth of the Chakmas in Mizoram?” they said.

The perceived abnormal growth rate of the Chakmas may be put to rest by the given table showing the growth rate of the Chakmas sourced from Mizoram at a Glance 2001 published by Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Mizoram. There is nothing abnormal about their growth rate if juxtaposed with that of the rest population of Mizoram.

Comparison of the Chakmas population of Mizoram vis a vis rest of the population of Mizoram after India’s Independence

YEAR	TOTAL POPULATION OF MIZORAM	CHAKMA POPULATION	REST POPULATION(2-3=4)	DECADAL GROWTH (CHAKMA)	DECADAL GROWTH (REST POPULATION)
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
1951	1,96,202	15,297	1,80,905	-	-
1951-1961	2,66,063	19,337	2,46,726	26.41	36.38
1961-1971	3,32,390	22,393	3,09,997	15.80	25.64
1971-1981	4,93,757	39,905	4,53,852	78.20	46.41
1981-1991	6,89,756	54,194	6,35,562	35.80	40.04
1991-2001	8,88,573	71,283	8,17,290	31.53	28.59
Average				37.55	35.41
Source: Mizoram at a Glance 2001, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Mizoram; http://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/uploads/documents/document3.pdf;http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_mizoram.pdf

This also bears significance to the memorandum submitted recently to Amit Shah, President, BJP by the MZPs wherein facts have been misrepresented deliberately regarding the growth of Chakma population in Mizoram with inflated figures about the Chakma population as has been learnt from a press report of the thenortheasttoday dated 17/4/2015. For instance it was claimed that Chakma population have jumped to 80,000 in 1991 against the fact that Chakmas were only 54,194 as shown in the above table. It was also conjured that the population of the Chakmas could be around 1,50,000. Whereas, the population of the Chakmas is only 71,283 by 2001 Census figure (http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_mizoram.pdf) and as per a report of the Vanglaini issue dated 2/3/2015 the population of the Chakmas as of 2011 is only 96,972 (http://www.vanglaini.org/tualchhung/32034).

Despite such strong evidence against the perceived notion of Chakmas growing abnormally, if the CYMA set on to continue with its resolve to conduct census on the Chakmas it will be but very unfortunate on the parts of such a highly regarded NGO of the country which has been known for their service towards the society.

The Chakma Diary: A Chakma Bloggers Directory has been launched

Chakma Diary Logo

'Chakma Diary: The Chakma Bloggers Directory' website has been launched yesterday. The website will provide all the informations about the different bloggers of the Chakma community worldwide. The website is http://chakma-diary.blogspot.in.

Breaking News: The Official website of Chakma ADC has been suspended

The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) was established on 29th April in 1972 Under the Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India. The CADC failed to maintained the account and has been suspended. The website was launched on last November 24, 2014, by the Information & the Public Relation Department of CADC. The Official website of CADC is www.cadc.gov.in.

Chakmas in Mizoram protest against discriminatory rules

Kamalanagar: More than one thousand people from all walks of life from Kamalanagar and nearby villages joined the Peace Procession called by Chakma National Council of India (CNCI), Mizoram State Committee in collaboration with all Political Parties and NGOs at Kamalanagar on 10th April, 2015 to demonstrate protest against the making of amendment of the Mizoram (Selection of candidates for Higher & Technical Courses) Rules, 1999 resultant of which the prospect to avail the facilities of pursuing technical education under Reserved Quota System shall stand curtailed totally for the Chakmas and other ethnic and religious minorities of the State.

Addressing the demonstrators Shri Rasik Mohan Chakma, President, CNCI, Mizoram State thanks them for huge and spontaneous support to the cause. He expressed that it is unfortunate in a civilized country like India, by a democratically elected government a rule to directly discriminate a Section of Citizen of the country is made. If any reservation is to be made it should be according to benign essence of our Constitution which provides for positive discrimination for the disadvantage group to give them a fair treatment because of their disadvantage status, he stressed. Elaborating his statement he pointed out that the Article 15(4) of the Constitution of India provides that “Nothing in this article (Article 15(1)) or in clause (2) or article (29) shall prevent the state from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes”. He further stressed that the amendment is a upright breach of article (9) of the 1986 Mizoram Peace Accord which provides that “The rights and Privileges of the minorities in Mizoram as envisaged in the Constitution, shall continue to be preserved and protected and their social and economic advancement shall be ensured.” He urged upon the govt. of Mizoram, headed by Pu Lal Thanhawla to roll back its decision and make another amendment of the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher & Technical Courses) Rules, 1999 by inserting the provision of reservation of 20% Seats for the Chakmas and Brus out of the reserved quota in technical courses.

Shri Rupayan Chakma, President, MCSU and Shri Molin Kumar Chakma, Vice-President, CYCA also addressed the gathering and condemned the Mizoram Govt. in strong words for making racial discrimination in the matter of amendment of the rule targeting the Chakmas and Brus who are most backward and only ethnic & religious minority of the state. They pledged to continue the movement until positive solution is made. Both the speakers termed the amendment as illegal, unconstitutional and provocative to disrupt communal harmony in the state. They thanked the demonstrators and appealed for full support and cooperation in the movement.

The procession in token of expressing anguish and protest burnt thousands copies of amendment rules in front of SDO ( C ) Office, Chawngte and ended on submission of a Memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mizoram through the SDO (C ) Chawngte demanding immediate roll back of Govt’s decision and also making another amendment of the rules by inserting the provision of 20% reservation for the Chakmas and Brus out of the Reserved Quota of Seats in the Technical Courses. 

Chakma civil bodies and political parties condemn Mizoram govt action

Aizawl (Mizo News Staff ), April 8: The Chakma National Council of India (CNCI), Mizoram State Committee convened a meeting of representatives of all Political Parties, NGOs and MDCs in CADC on the 7th April, 2015 at Kamalanagar to discuss on the recent Amendment of the Mizoram (Selection of Candidates for Higher & Technical courses) Rules, 1999 made by the State Government of Mizoram.
Rasik Mohan Chakma, President, CNCI Mizoram State Committee, who presided over the meeting while placing the agenda for discussion stated that the recent amendment of the rules particularly the explanation clause on the term ‘Local Permanent Residents’ and ‘indigenous’ is the outcome of the agreement made between the MZP and the Government of Mizoram on 25th September, 2014 and subsequently called off the protest by MZP following the ‘Agreement’. In the recent amendment of the explanation clause of Rule 5, with the insertion of “Zo-ethnic people who are native inhabitants” in place of “indigenous people of the state of Mizoram” henceforth the selection of candidates for Higher & Technical courses against the reserved quota of seat shall be made on ethnic line not on merit, he stated. He called upon the representatives of NGOs, Political Parties and the MDCs to place their opinion and suggestion on the issue.
In addition to representatives of NGOs and Political Parties, Shri Pulin Bayan Chakma, Shri Adi Kanta Tongchangya, Kali Kumar Tongchangya and Alak Bikash Chakma partook in the discussion and deliberation in the meeting.
The meeting in unison condemned the decision of the Government of Mizoram for making the provision for selection of candidates for Higher & Technical courses on the base of ethnicity. It is a clear violation of the provision of the Constitution of India as Article 13(2) provides that “the State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights conferred by this part and any law made in contravention of this clause shall to the extent of the contravention, be void”, article 15 (1) also provides that “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them”. Above all the amendment is a bare violation of Article 9 of the 1986 Mizoram Peace Accord which provides that “the rights and privileges of the minorities in Mizoram as envisaged in the Constitution, shall continue to be preserved and protected and their social and economic advancement shall be ensured” which was signed non-other than the present Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla.
The meeting also observed that while positive discrimination for the disadvantage group to give them a fair treatment because of their disadvantage status is practiced in other part of the country, in Mizoram the ethnic and religious minorities are being made prey of negative discrimination. The meeting also resolved to place demand to provide reservation out of reserved quota of seats in technical courses for the Chakmas in Mizoram. It was also resolved to launch peace procession on 10th April, 2015 in Kamalanagar in protest of the recent Amendment of Rules pertaining to selection of candidates for Higher & Technical courses in Mizoram. The meeting also entrusted the CNCI to take any other course of action for positive solution of the problem in this regard.

Former Chakma minister, Legislator join BJP

First Chakma Minister Dangu Nirupam Chakma and Former Legislator Dangu Alak Bikash Chakma join BJP

Written by Adam Halliday on The IndianEXPRESS | Aizawl | Posted: February 16, 2015 7:00 pm 

A handful of veteran Chakma politicians in Mizoram, including the state’s first Chakma minister, have left the state’s main political parties to join the BJP as the party’s state unit has plans this week to induct more people in areas dominated by ethnic groups generally perceived to have less than friendly relations with the majority Mizos.

The moves come as the state readies for elections to almost 550 rural bodies known as Village Councils, all of which will have an unprecedented five year term; the newly elected bodies will still be around in the next state assembly elections scheduled for 2018, in which the Congress hopes to script history by winning three consecutive terms.

BJP national secretary Ranjit Majumder, who is coordinating operations in the state where the BJP has never won an election and mustered less votes than NOTA in the last assembly polls, led Saturday’s ceremony in which Chakma politicians such as Nirupam Chakma (a former Congress Minister of State), A K Chakma (a former MNF legislator) and a host of others including former members of the Chakma Autonomous District Council or CADC were inducted into the party.

The CADC’s 81 village councils will go to polls on February 25, the earliest in Mizoram in the upcoming poll season. Dates for elections to village councils elsewhere have not been announced yet but are expected sometime in April.

The BJP’s state vice-presidents Laldinliana and Chalngura meanwhile told The Indian Express on Monday in Aizawl that party leaders will travel this week to Sakawrdai – the largest settlement dominated by the Hmar tribe in northern Mizoram – and then to the Hachhek assembly constituency in western Mizoram, an area dominated by members of the Bru tribe.

At both places, the leaders said, the party will induct new members, claiming several Village Councils have pledged to shift loyalties from their present political parties to the BJP.

The leaders said the party is seeking to work bottom-up by asking every VC or aspirant VC members what they need most and promising to deliver these but would not comment directly on whether the party’s focus on minority-dominated regions is a move aimed at the ethnic identities of the communities that live there.

Relations between Chakma and Mizo groups have been largely unfriendly for generations. It soured further in the past year over issues relating to illegal immigration of Chakmas from Bangladesh, as well as opposition by Chakma groups to the Mizo Students’Association’s (or MZP’s) plans to build a rest-house for Mizos in Borapansury, one of the largest Chakma-dominated settlements in Mizoram.

Politically however, Chakmas conventionally vote for the Congress party, and the Lal Thanhawla government currently has one Chakma minister. Another Chakma politician, former MoS Nihar Kanti Chakma, is a ruling Congress MLA.

The Hmar tribe is more often than not considered part of the Mizo community (Mizo being a generic term to encompass various tribes bound by similar dialects, customs and histories) but a militant group based out of Manipur that splintered from the main Hmar militant group which laid down arms in the 1990s has for years carried on the demand for an autonomous tribal district for the tribe under the Indian Constitution’s sixth schedule.

CM Lal Thanhawla recently accused the BJP of tying up with the militant group, the Hmar People’s Convention – Democrats or HPC-D, to garner votes for the rural body elections in exchange for a fulfilment of the latter’s demand, but BJP leaders have denied this saying they are not in touch with the militants.

The Congress, however, dominates in the Hmar-dominated areas as well, which covers three assembly seats, all of which currently have Congress MLAs.

The Bru tribe faced mass ethnic conflict with the majority Mizos in 1997 when a pro-autonomy militant group killed a Mizo official, leading to an ethnic backlash which led to tens of thousands of Bru tribesmen fleeing Mizoram for Tripura, where many continue to reside in squalid relief camps although thousands have returned home.

Ethnic tension sometimes rears its head, however, when Bru militants occasionally take part in cross-border kidnappings spearheaded by the National Liberation front of Tripura (NLFT), but there have been no reports of ethnic violence since 2010.

All assembly seats with large numbers of Bru voters, mostly in Mamit district, are currently represented by Congress MLAs.

MZP begins construction of controversial "Zofate Chawlbuk" at Borapansury

Aizawl (Mizonews.Net): The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, the largest students’ body in Mizoram, has started construction the controversial “Zofate chawlhbuk” (Resting House of the Zo tribes) in Borapansury under the Chakma Autonomous District Council on Friday last.

Ground leveling was done first, after which building materials were taken to the place.

There was no report of any trouble and the construction work is believed to be going on smoothly. Earlier, there was a “misunderstanding” with the Chakma community which objected to the construction of “Zofate chawlhbuk”.

As per plan, ‘Zofate chawlhbuk’ will be a two-storey concrete building. It will be 45 feet long and 30 feet wide.

MZP said that the main objective behind the construction of Zofate chawlhbuk in Borapansury village is to preserve the land that had been heroically preserved by the Mizo forefathers for the settlement of their future generations.