Mizoram governor for census of migrants

Silchar Dec. 21 : Mizoram Governor Lt Gen. (retd) M.M. Lakhera has advocated a comprehensive census of Myanmarese nationals staying illegally in the state.

The suggestion came at a recent meeting with delegates of the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee in Aizawl and stemmed from concern over a sudden spurt of crime and narcotics peddling.

Mizoram chief minister Lalthanhawla could not attend the meet, as he was undergoing a stomach operation in Aizawl.

Sources said these incidents of crime are mainly attributed to the Myanmarse migrants who have been entering the state through its 404km border with Chin state in northwest Myanmar.

It is difficult to identify the Myanmarese Mizos as they share similarities of features and language with the Mizos of Mizoram.

A recent case of rape and murder of a five-year-old girl allegedly by a Myanmarese Mizo had sent shock waves in the state.

Henry Vaneichung was accused of raping and killing the girl in a secluded forest groove near her village on November 8. He was later caught by villagers and handed over to police.

The number of Myanmarese Mizos in the state is estimated to be between 40,000 and 75,000.

They mostly earn a living by doing odd jobs in automobile workshops, laundries and as domestic helps in Aizawl and other towns.

Many of them engage in drug-peddling and bootlegging in Mizoram, where sales and consumption of drinks is prohibited since 1997.

Myanmarese Mizos and Chin nationals are permitted to engage in border trade within a 15km radius in Mizoram and then return, but a majority of them choose to remain in Mizoram for a longer period.