Mizoram groups protest Centre’s Indo-Myanmar border fencing, cite identity threat

Aizawl: The Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex Mizo students’ body, on Tuesday organised a sit-in protest in front of Vanapa Hall here. The protest opposed the Centre’s proposed fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Leaders of both organisations, along with their supporters, gathered at the protest site. They asserted that the proposed fencing would pose a serious threat to the social, cultural and ethnic unity of the Mizo people living on both sides of the international border.

Addressing the demonstrators, ZORO president R Sangkawia said the fencing, if implemented, would divide ethnic Mizos living in Mizoram from those in neighbouring Myanmar. He said this would weaken long-standing bonds of unity and brotherhood among indigenous communities in the border areas.

Sangkawia pointed out that the Mizo people share a common ancestry, traditions and history. He warned that erecting a physical barrier would severely affect these ties.

He also expressed concern that continued disunity among ethnic Mizos could have far-reaching consequences. According to him, it could lead to the gradual erosion of their collective identity. He cautioned that such divisions could eventually threaten the survival of the Mizo tribe as a distinct ethnic group.

Referring to earlier developments, Sangkawia recalled that the Mizoram Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the proposed Indo-Myanmar border fencing.

Meanwhile, MZP president C Lalremruata said the Mizo people have consistently opposed the fencing proposal. He said they aspire for reunification of ethnic Mizos living across contiguous regions in India and neighbouring countries.

Lalremruata maintained that while international borders may exist between nations, such demarcations should not separate kindred communities with shared bloodlines and cultural heritage.

“There can be international boundaries between countries, but these borders cannot and should not divide people who belong to the same ethnic family,” he said.

He further asserted that the MZP would continue to oppose the proposed fencing in all forms. He added that the organisation would pursue democratic movements until the Centre withdraws the proposal.

The protest also reflected broader resistance from civil society organisations in Mizoram, who have held rallies and demonstrations on multiple occasions.