Mizoram State-based Mizo Zirlai Pawl, also known as the Mizo Students’ Association (MZP), and the Zo Re-unification Organization (ZORO) staged a protest in the state capital, Aizawl, against the Indian government’s plan to build a fence along the Mizoram–Myanmar border.
The two groups held a joint peaceful protest in front of Vanapa Hall in Aizawl at 11:00 a.m. on January 16.
“The Indian government is planning to build a wall along the border that will separate brothers from brothers. MZP and ZORO cannot accept this. That is why we, as brothers, are protesting against a plan that will divide us,” said Dr. C.Lalremruata, chair of the MZP.
Both MZP and ZORO criticized the proposed construction of a border fence between India and Myanmar, particularly along the Mizoram–Chin border, warning that it would harm the brotherly bonds between the two sides.
“We cannot allow a wall to separate our brothers and sisters who have lived together in love on the land God has given us. We cannot accept anything that will divide us, because we believe that one day all Zo (Chin) people will be reunited under a single administration, as God wills. Therefore, we demand that the Indian government withdraw its plan to build a border wall,” Dr. C.Lalremruata added.
The protesters chanted slogans opposing the planned fence between the Chin and Mizoram states, demanding the complete withdrawal of the construction project and rejecting any effort to divide the Zo (Chin) communities.
MZP and ZORO also warned that if their demands are not heeded, they will continue to oppose any action by the Indian government to the end.
The Indian government is planning to fence the more than 1,600-kilometer-long India–Myanmar border after scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement between the two countries, and work has already begun in Manipur State.