Aizawl, March 19 Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said on Thursday that his government is working to bridge the gap between Mizo communities worldwide.
Addressing the Thangram Cultural Meet at Ronpur in Assam's Karimganj district, the chief minister said that political boundaries would never supersede ethnic kinship, according to an official statement released here.
Themed "Unau Kan Ni" (We Are Brethren), the event was organized by the Thangram Indigenous Peoples Movement (TIPM), representing six Mizo-sub tribes of the Singla and Langkaih or Longai valleys, in collaboration with Mizoram's apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl.
Lalduhoma traced the history of the region, noting that these Mizo clans had settled in the Langkaih and Singla valleys as early as 1490 AD.
"History shows that though administrative lines may be drawn by governments, ethnic boundaries are invisible and unbreakable... Whether we reside in different states or different countries, our identity as one people must remain our greatest strength," the statement quoted the CM as saying.
Lalduhoma emphasised that his administration is actively working to bridge the gap between Mizo communities worldwide.
He highlighted the establishment of the Mizo Diaspora Cell within the Chief Minister’s Office, an initiative designed to provide a support system for Mizo communities or the diaspora living outside Mizoram's borders.
Addressing the specific challenges faced by the indigenous Mizo communities in the valleys, Lalduhoma said Mizoram has acknowledged the aspirations of the ethnic communities.
"We are aware of how you have stood up for your brethren and raised your voices through the press and community action. The people of Mizoram are grateful. We will do everything within the framework of the law to support you. We will not leave you as orphans," he said.
Hailing Lalduhoma's visit as a "red-letter day", TIPM president K Vana Chorei hailed and noted the significant psychological impact of the chief minister’s presence.
"For too long, we felt isolated. Today, our neighbours see that we have parents, a guardian state that watches over its children," Chorei said.
The cultural meet featured a vibrant array of traditional dances and was attended by leaders of MZP, including its president Dr C Lalremruata.
The Mizo communities of Singla valley and Langkaih valley have been demanding a merger with Mizoram since 2020, and they submitted memoranda to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressing their desire for the merger in 2021.
The TIPM leaders claimed that over 30,000 people of various ethnic Zo tribes live in Singla and Langkaih valleys, which cover over 180 square miles.
The area called 'Thangram' (Western part) covers around 24 villages, and it shares borders with west Mizoram's Mamit district, they said.
The leaders also claimed that the Thangram area has been occupied by the Mizo or Zo indigenous tribes from time immemorial and was part of Mizoram before it attained statehood in 1987.
They alleged that the area has been neglected by the Assam government, as they hardly receive development and other welfare schemes.