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Organization: Forum for Democracy and Human Rights
To: burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 11:04:45 +0000
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Subject: Mizoram, India Update
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Mizoram, India Update

A Burmese MP of Chin League for Democracy from Falam constituency 
who is seeking asylum in India since 1990 was detained by CID of Mizoram 
State on 13th August. 

Does Dr. Zahleithang=92s arrest set an example of Mizoram government's 
reluctance to contend with the policy of the Central government? 
Being a border state, Mizoram has an international outlet to Burma. 
The Ministry of External Affairs accepts correctly that Chin state of Burm=
a 
and Mizoram are traditionally exchanging the people of other state for tem=
porary 
job-finding purpose for decades. Before 60s Mizos came to Burma. 
In Mizoram those people are still telling how Burma has been rich and 
prosperous they witnessed then. After 70s Chins came to Mizoram just befor=
e 
Burma became a LDC. Students deserted after 1988. NLD members disembarked 
after 1990.

During a couple of months back, as the result of three encounters, two Miz=
os 
and four Chin underground privates lost their lives. The funeral of a loca=
l YMA, 
Young Mizo Association was highly politicized. The Chin National Army 
banned the cross-border passing in protest against the border trade at Cha=
mphai. 
Mizoram authorities reported its law and order situation to the central 
government. The MEA said it should not intervene the Mizoram government=92=
s 
measure to restore normalcy. All the problems were charged to the CNA.

All who were suspected of having family or social ties with the CNF member=
s 
were detained and interrogated. A dissident of the CNF issued a statement 
condemning the killing of a YMA. Dr. Zahleithang was asked to do so or ten=
der 
apology. The CNA did not admit that incident. So, except saying I am sorry=
, 
Dr. Zahleithang is not in a position to issue such a kind of statement or =
to 
apologize. He is just an MP from Chin State. Should a person being a Chin 
national be accused of what the Chins have been suspected? But he was deta=
ined 
then. May be a lesson given to others.

The NLD members and the students were told that it was not advisable to st=
ay 
for the time being in Mizoram by some friendly officials. They left Aizawl=
 before 
the dead-line, 13th August. After Dr. Zahleithang=92s arrest, except two g=
uys, 
all had left out of Aizawl. This kind of insecurity had never been experie=
nced 
before. 

All activists, mostly from Delhi, who realized tried to resolve the disast=
er. 
They found that the UNHCR had  finite capacity. Series of letters were fax=
ed 
to the Home and Foreign Ministers. No signs of answer. How about the 
international community? Then they did raise the issue. The sympathetic In=
dian 
MPs of different political parties were approached to plead to their gover=
nment.

India is India. So far the Burmese asylum seekers do not comprehend how th=
e 
Central and State governments are executing on foreign matters, especially=
 on 
Burma. When 69 students were pushed involuntarily in 1989, Shi A said 
our policy was not to push back. Shri B said we did accordingly.

Ultimately the MP was released at 6 a. m. on 16th August. What the Burmese=
 
in India have to say is, =93We appreciate India very much=94. Thanks to th=
ose MPs 
and politicians who did their level best. The question is, =93Will Burmese=
 
pro-democracy activist who are engaging in a non-violent struggle against 
the most brutal regime be troubled again?=94 Which kind of welcome to thos=
e 
who had lived for 8 years and recently left Aizawl will Mizos confer on?

Tint Swe
MP (Burma)								
16-8-96
NCGUB
New Delhi Office
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