A MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO THE HON'BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA, NEW DELHI BY BRU NATIONAL UNION (BNU), MIZORAM.
Camping at:Kalyan Ashram,
M-31 Malkaganj
New Delhi-100 007
Ph. No.2925292
To,
The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, New Delhi
Sub: SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMANDS RAISED BY BRU NATIONAL UNION (BNU), MIZORAM
Hon'ble Sir,
We the undersigned, for and on behalf of the Bru National Union (BNU), Mizoram, have the honour to bring to your kind, sympathetic consideration and prompt action the facts given in the subsequent paragraph.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTTON OF RIANG (BRU) IN MIZORAM
The Riang (Bru) community of Mizoram have a distinct culture, language, customs, traditions, usages and living on this land from time immemorial. This can be proved from history, Father Sabastian Karotemprel, SDB, Ph.D. and Deepali Danda, Ph.D. in their book entitled "The Tribes of North East India" have mentioned that "The Riangs were originally inhabitants of Mizoram.. "(page 43), and also in the book of "Bru hnam zinga rawngbawlna" writen by Upa Thangzawna, Mizo Christian Missionary, clearly mentioned that the Riang were, the indigenous tribal community and son of the soil of Mizoram... Ethnically, the Riang (Bru) belongs to the Mongoloid racial stock and the dialect is akin to the Austro Asiatic Tibeto Burman family.
According to historians, the erstwhile Lushai Hills now Mizoram formed a part of the formerly Princely State of Tripura. A Lake at Riangdil (Rengdil) in Mizoram is still witness to the political administrative control of the King of Tripura over todays Mizoram. There was no existence of Mizoram at that time, thereafter the Riangs were settled down in various parts of Mizoram before the reign of the successive Manikya dynasty rulers of the Tripura Kingdom. Thus, the Riangs living in Mizoram at present are the "Sons of the Soil" in this State from the historical point ot View.
About 1,00,000/- (one lakh) [Number of Bru population is corrected as 85,000 (eighty five thousands) in hand/writing in the original copy-the author] Riang Tribals live mainý concentrated in the western parts of Aizawl District in a contiguous area as well as in the remaining two Districts of Lunglei and Chhimtuipui.
Originally, the Riang (Bru) Community was the followers of Hinduism, but due to lack of leaders and the growing influence of Christianity in the region compelled about half of the population of Riangs to embrace Christianity.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE NOMENCLATURE OF BRU AND RIANG
From time immemorial, the nomenclature of the community is used as Riang. Technically, the 'Riang' is one of the Sub-Tribes of the Bru race. The word Bru includes Riang, Uchoi, Ktal (Tripura) etc..and fom one Community consisting of 12 (twelve) other clans. Thus, only the word "Bru' stands for the whole group ot them and we call ourselves 'Bru' since a long time past. In this connection, we have place many times before Government of Mizoram to take up the matter with the relevant authorities to recognise the nomenclature 'Bru' instead of Riang' which appear in the Schedule Tribe List. But, the State Government did not pay heed to our demand till today.
We, therefore, would like to request you to take early actionfor the recognition of the nomenclature 'Bru' instead of "Riang'.
PROBLEM OF DAMPA TIGER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY FOR THE HABITATION OF RIANG
There is a sinister design to drive out the Riang (Bru) people from Mizoram their cultivable land and habitations are being taken over by the Government, the Dampa Tiger Wildlife Sanctuary Project is a large created by the Government in the Western Belt of Riangs inhabited areas. This has affected more than 6,000 (six thousand) families surrounding villages of Tuipuibari, New Chikha, Dampa Rengpui, Mualvawm, Saipui, Sidon, Lampacherra and Persang etc. without giving any compensation. This sanctuary is now proposed to extend up to Lunglei District of Tlabung Dinthar, Hnahkhai, Zuangzawl and some other villages of Riangs and Chakmas dominated areas. This sanctuary is now handed over to the Central Government as per our knowledge, particularly, the Forest Department of Mizoram is intentionally planning to exploit and remove the Riangs' thickly inhabited areas by making River Range Reserve Forest Areas along the habitations of the Riangs which is the main fertile and cultivable and occupied by the Riangs and Chakmas.
We strongly urge the Central Government should make necessary enquiries and not agree to the State Governments proposal to dislodge Riangs from their lands and must remove this sanctuary if possible.
THE PROBLEM
That sir, you might be well aware that the Riang Schedule Tribe people of Mizoram are being subjected to gross Human Rights Violation and untold atrocities committed on them by the Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) and other Mizo Militant activist from the middle of October, 1997, following our demand for an Autonomous District Council voiced by the Riangs under the banner of Bru National Union (BNU), Mizoram. The Mizos served "Quit Mizoram Notice" on the Riangs and unleash a systematic campaign of large scale violence and terror in the Riang populated areas especialy the Western parts of Aizawl District. All heinous crimes in human history like killing, mass rape, arson, abduction, illegal detention, looting, destruction of movable and immovable properties, the movement of cleansing non-Mizo from Mizoram, destruction of 29 Hindu Mandirs owned by the Riangs and rootless burning of 41 Riang villages, 44 Women and Girls were gangraped and 87 persons were brutally tortured, uncountable number of Girls were sexually assulted. Many hundred of elderly Riang villagers and literate youths were subjected to third degree method of torture.
Against the genocide programme led by Mizo Joint Action Committee (MJAC), against the Riangs has been carried out from the last part of February, 1998 and also affected the Riangs living in Lunglei and Chhimtuipui Districts of Mizoram. It needs immediate intervention by the Central Government, as the Mizos are crossing over even to Cachar District of Assam and Tripura with the sophisticated weapons and burning of Riang villages.
Up to 4th April 1998, 52,610 Riangs have crossed the border of Mizoram and taken shelter in Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma), majority of Riangs have fled from Aizawl District.
It is a matter of pain that Riang refugees are not provided sufficient rations and medical aid by the Government authorities in Tripura. The Assam Government has totally stopped all kinds of help to the Riang Refugees, the sufferings of Refugees know no bounds. Up to 4th April 1998, 389 (three hundred and eighty nine) persons have died due to malaria, diarrhoea, tever, measles, malnutrition, insufficiency of medicines etc. in the Camps. The Mzoram Government has totally failed to protect the life and property of Riangs in Mizoram and has paid no attention to fulfil the demand made by them.
But, it is a great tragedy of human history that even after 50 (fifty) years of Indian independence the Bru (Riang) did not share the ruits of Indian independence rather they were forced to lead the life of virtual slaves and bonded labourers in their homeland and are now being threatened by Mizos as foreigners to deport them from Mizoram.
As matter of fact, what is currently happening in Mizoram is only the violation of the Fundamental Rights, but it is also the rape of Humanity. That Sir, with the formation of a new Central government, we have full confidence and firmly believe that our rights will be duly safeguarded and the problems of Riang refugees will be solved under your leadership.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
It is worth mentioning that Mizoram as a number of Schedule Tribes declared by the President of India under Article 341(1) the constitution, which includes Riangs and Chakmas etc.
Under the Schedule to thé Constitution, only three small Autonomous Districts viz. The Chakmas, the Mara District and the Lai (Pawi) District have been specified under Chhimtuipui District of Mizoram South. The bulk of the territory of Mizoram is not covered by it. The Sixth Schedule spells out in different spheres, the concept of self-management for Autonomous Councils, specifying Legislative, Executive, Development and Financial Powers and Functions. It also gives powers relating to Social Customs, Marriage andd Divorce and inheritance of property. Thus, the District Councils safeguard the Customs, Traditions etc. to protect the interest of Schedule Tribes living in the Autonomous District.
The Demand of the Riangs for establishment of an Autonomous District is permissible under the Constitution and has been made when they found that their identity is being threatened by the Mizos.
We have placed our demands and grievances to the Government of Mizoram and the Central Govermment through Riang Democratic Party (RDP) since the year of 1990, Bru Socio-Cultural Association (BSCA), Bru National Union (BNU) and Bru Students' Association (BSA), But, neither the State Government nor the Central Government has come forward to solve the problems to protect and safeguard our rich cultural identity and ensure accelerated development of our community. Therefore, conferring of the status of an Autonomous District Council is not a subject of controversy, it is a recognition of Human Rights and Dignity ot human beingsbgiven in the Constitution. There is no other alternative path to solve the Riang problems except ushering in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India as is already given to other hill tribals of Mizoram.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and should act in a spirit of brotherhood. The law of the land stipulates that all are equal in the eye of law. The creation of Autonomous District Council for the Riangs (Brus) residing in Mizoram may be done as the population of Riangs is about 1,00,000 (one lakh).[Here also number of Bru population is corrected as 85,000 the author]
For the reason stated above, the Riang Refugees would like to place before your honour the following demands for immediate and prompt action:
For the reason stated above, the Riang Refugees would like to place before your honour the following demands for immediate and prompt action:
DEMAND POINTS OF BNU
1. The Central Government should take steps in consultation with the Government of Mizoram for setting up an Autonomous District Council for the areas populated by the Riangs (Brus) in Aizawl District.
2 The Government of Mizoram and the Central Government should create suitable conditions in providing adequate security to Riangs deploying Central security Forces to ensure that if they go back to their villages in Mizoram, their life and property will be fully protected Grouping of Riangs villages may be done in Western parts of Riang inhabited Areas at 10 (ten) places.
3. The Government of Mizoram must provide at least Rs.5,00,000/-to the kith and kin of the deceased families including Government jobs to one member of the family who have been killed by the Mizos in the recent incidents in Mizoram.
4. Compensation amounting to Rs.5,00,000/- should be paid to women and girls who have been raped and steps taken for their rehabilitation.
5. A cOmpensation be provided amounting to Rs.1,00,000/- to those whose houses had been burnt down or destroyed, looting of their properties etc. and Rs.50,000/- to the victims of atrocities like physical torture, injury etc. committed on Riang by Mizos.
6. The Central Government should kindly make arrangement to hold talks involving the representatives of Riangs leaders, Government of Mizoram and Central Government towards a satisfactory solution to the problems of the Riang people of Mizoram.
7. Institution of a High Level nquiry Committee to investigate the problems faced by the Riangs in Mizoram and to suggest needful action thereof.
8. There is a sinister design to drive out the Riangs from Mizoram. The main cultivable land and habitation of Riangs are now under illegal occupation by Mizos which shall be restored back to the Riangs.
9. The Government of Mizoram must be directed to restore the names of Riangs (Brus) removed from the Electoral Rolls.
10. The Government of Mizoram should take urgent steps for all round development of Riangs (Brus) and ensure that they get their due share in Government services when repatriated back to Mizoram.
11. At least 3 (three) Assembly Constituencies should be reserved for the Riang minority Schedule Tribes of Mizoram.
12. The Government should provide free rations for at least 6 (six) months after the Riangs are repatriated back to Mizoram.
13. The Riangs who have taken shelter I Tripura and Assam should be accorded the status of Refugees and the Government must arrange immediately to provide Riang Refugees RS.5/- per head daily in cash for purchase of essential commodities like salt etc. until they return to Mizoram.
14. At least 50,000/- should be provided to each of the Refugees families (displaced families) for construction of their dwelling houses when they return to Mizoram.
15. Adequate compensation should be paid for reconstruction of Hindu Temples destroyed by Mizos.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/- 27/4/98
(BRUNO MSHA)
General Secretary
Bru National
Union (BNU),
Mizoram.
Sd/- 29/4/98
(A.SAWIBUNGA RIANG)
President
Bru National
Union (BNU),
Mizoram.
Sd/-29/4/98
R. LALDAWNGLIANA)
Organising Secretary,
Bru National
Union (BNU),
Mizoram.
Sd/- 29/4/98
(A.J. VANLALHRUAIA)
Vice-President,
Bru National
Union (BNU),
Mizoram.
______________________________
Jonom siphlai tong yauhnai ni khe ye to is a ye laruhmo sei. Poila Mizoram Bru Soronathi October 1997 wo klaiphai droih phuh le BNU (BRU NATIONAL UNION) se toidul ou. Arphuh le RRC/MBRC/MBDPF hing ye kroi khou.
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| Photo of the Bru (Riang) refugee camp |
Jonom siphlai tong yauhnai ni khe ye to is a ye laruhmo sei. Poila Mizoram Bru Soronathi October 1997 wo klaiphai droih phuh le BNU (BRU NATIONAL UNION) se toidul ou. Arphuh le RRC/MBRC/MBDPF hing ye kroi khou.