Sinlung /
18 February 2011

Mizoram Apex Body Opposes Direct Funding To District Councils

ymaAizawl, Feb 18 : The Young Mizo Association(YMA) has voiced its concern over direct funding demanded by the three autonomous district councils in Mizoram fearing it could eventually result in the division of states into smaller parts.

''Granting of direct funding to the three autonomous district councils could further result in a demand for union territory. From union territory, the next step is a full-fledged state. We will never allow Mizoram to be divided into smaller states,'' central YMA president Lalchungnunga said at a function here yesterday.

Lalchungnunga also stated that the YMA would keep a close watch on the repatriation process of Bru refugees from six relief camps in north Tripura district to prevent non-bonafide citizens from being repatriated into the state along with the refugees.

''The YMA would watch and wait till the repatriation process is over,'' Lalchungnunga said.

Alleging that the Bru refugees left Mizoram following threats from the 'so-called' Bru Students’ Union in 1998, a proof of which, he said, the central YMA has.

Meanwhile, a Central team, led by Union Home Ministry’s joint secretary (NE) Sambhu Singh, yesterday visited Damdiai--one of the villages in western Mizoram where the Bru refugees were resettled-- and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Mizoram government.

Mr Singh said additional rice allocation for the resettled Bru refugees would be allotted to the state from March.

He added that the repatriation process would be resumed after the fund sanctioned by the Centre for the repatriation expenses is credited in the Mizoram government account.

The proposals made by the autonomous district councils of Lai, Mara and Chakma, during today’s meeting included reservation of at least one-third of seats in the village councils under the district councils, handing over of the responsibility of village council elections from the district council to the state election commission and introduction of local urban bodies in the district council areas.

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