I want NRC because of Bangladeshi infiltrators- CM Mizoram

News Desk

There are long controversies in Mizoram on the issue of voting rights to alleged illegal immigrants like the Brus and the Chakmas. The government was forced to transfer the chief electoral officer under pressure from political parties and civil society groups. Those groups are now at the forefront of demanding the NRC in Mizoram. Chief Minister Zoramthanga recently commented on support of the NRC. He said that the government has not yet started discussions on it at the cabinet level. But they are in favor of it. Mizoram is not an isolated state and cannot be segregated from the rest of India. There is immigrants’ issue in Mizoram. The government will be looking at how the NRC will help the state. If it has been done in the conventional way, there might not be too many people in the list.

The CM wants the NRC, he believes that Bangladeshi infiltrators are living in Mizoram in the form of Chakmas. He is not against the Bengalis from West Bengal or elsewhere who are here with the inner line permit.

It is to be mentioned that the Chakmas have an MLA and he is from the BJP.

The CM said that no discussion has yet been done. He will take it up very soon with my cabinet colleagues. A resolution in the cabinet is expected soon. The CM thinks that no cabinet approval is needed to conduct the NRC. It is nothing but updating the citizenship record. It is not Mizoram-specific. Mizoram maintains a compact society, but the government needs to check people from the neighboring country coming over and settling here. They can do it without the NRC with help from the security forces. But for people like the Chakmas, who have come from Bangladesh, they need the NRC.

The CM thinks that a section of the Brus is illegal, but not all of them. Many of them have been living here for years. But the new ones will be checked. The CM also said that the matter will be discussed in the assembly. Everybody will be taken on board; Mizoram government is more interested in halting the infiltrators than conducting the NRC. They prefer to detect the disease first and then give the medicine rather than treating it when there is no cure. This matter has been discussed with the Home Minister in general. Before taking a final decision, matter will be discussed with him after consulting the cabinet members. The CM gave emphasis that there were many issues in the Assam NRC, which should not be repeated. It is to be mentioned that Manipur has already decided in favor of the NRC.