Lockdown: Mizoram students' body alleges discrimination by Chakmas

Aizawl, May 10 () Mizorams apex students' body -the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) - on Sunday alleged that Mizos werebeing prevented from buying essential commodities at avillage, under the jurisdiction of the autonomous council forethnic Chakma people, in Lawngtlai district during the ongoinglockdown.

MZP vice president Peter Chhangte alleged that Mizosbelonging to Bawm tribe, living at Parva-III, were deniedentry to grocery stores and prevented from buying essentialcommodities and food items by Chakma volunteers.

However, the chief executive member (CEM) of theChakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) Rasik Mohan Chakmatold that he did not have any such information.

Some of the MZP leaders led by Chhangte had visitedParva villages within the CADC areas in Lawngtlai districtlast week following a report that native Mizos were beingdiscriminated against by local leaders and volunteers of avillage task force during the nationwide lockdown.

The MZP team convened a meeting with local andcommunity leaders from both the Chakma and Mizo tribes askingthem to peacefully coexist as responsible citizens during thecoronavirus crisis.

"We asked the Chakma community leaders not to obstructthe Mizos from buying both essential and non-essentialcommodities from shops during lockdown and also take measuresto promote peaceful co-existence," he said.

Meanwhile, the CADC CEM said, "Who knows a shop keepermay prevent some customers from entering the shop as aprecaution. But that does not mean that the entire Mizoresidents were denied essential commodities. How can people bedenied from buying commodities in this time of crisis?" heasked.

Parva is located about 430 km from Aizawl and 185 kmfrom Lawngtlai. About 60 Mizo families live at Parva-III alongwith Chakma residents.

The Chakmas are concentrated mainly in south-westernpart of Mizoram and they constitute about 8 per cent of thestate's population. CORMM MM