Rift Over Trade Licenses To Non-Mizos

Hailakandi, Sep 5 : A delegation of Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA) on Friday met the members of the Cachar district unit of Journalists’ Federation of Assam (JFA) at Mizoram Circuit House in Silchar and held discussion regarding the recent conflict over the issue of valid trade licenses to non-Mizo businessmen in Mizoram.

MJA members informed that only 53 non-Mizo businessmen have valid trade license of Mizoram Government and it has come to light after an enquiry conducted in the State by the government. It was informed in the meeting that the Mizoram Government stopped issuing trade licenses to non-Mizos from 1976-77.

The Mizo journalists said that the non-Mizos from Barak Valley go to Mizoram in order to do some business or other jobs and in order to start the business, they marry Mizo girls. It was also informed in the meeting that the non-Mizos are not allowed to do any business without the permission of the government.

The Young Mizo Association (YMA) and some other non-governmental organisations identified the problem of Mizo and non-Mizo marriage and informed the state government urging to frame a strict law in 2010.

MJA delegation informed the meeting that the Mizoram Government has also assured them to take necessary steps in this regard. They said that YMA has started to identify the non-Mizo businessmen those who don’t have valid trade licenses and the Mizoram Government has already cautioned the YMA not take law in their hand, they added.

Both MJA and JFA urged the people concerned to maintain peace and tranquility in Mizoram over the issue of checking valid trade licenses of non-Mizo businessmen. MJA also invited JFA members to visit Mizoram in the second week of September.