Rephrases Kolasib DC’s order sans ‘Hmar’

Aizawl (mizonews.net): Facing severe criticism from all quarters, Lalthanhawla led Congress government which had issued a controversial “anti- Hmar refugee” order has expressed regret over the issue.

Issuing a clarification on the State Home Ministry’s order with regard to the ‘Hmar refugee’ issue, the government said it was “unfortunate” that the order on the treatment of ‘Hmar refugees’ has created “mistrust” and “hurt the sentiments” of a section of the Mizo tribe. It may be mentioned that the Hmars are one of the largest group of the Mizo tribes and a majority in the northeastern part of the hilly state.

The government had earlier issue an order through Kolasib District DC that “no Hmar refugees (from Lungren village of Assam) should be given job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme”.  Besides, the government had asked the district officials not to issue house passes to the Hmar families.

“We realised that this order had created mistrust and alienation among the people. As such the government is very sorry on this issue,” the statement said, adding, that “refugees are treated as per the Standard Operation Procedures. Lungreng village in Assam was burnt down on October 14,  2011 and the villagers took refuge in Mizoram. The order on treatment of the villagers was issued as per India’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) law called Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).  Since, the villagers were mostly Hmars, the order specifically mentioned ‘Hmar refugess,’” the government statement said after a meeting which was chaired by Home minister R. Lalzirliana.

The government said that since the order has created “misunderstanding” the term “Hmar tribe” has been removed.

Reiterating that “Mizoram is the homeland of all Mizo tribes”, government  said “we’ll continue to stand by this principle”.

Keywords: Latest Mizoram News, Politics