Mizoram CEO notice to party, citing DH report

Citing a news item in DH about a former Navy sailor contesting Lok Sabha election in Mizoram with 'secession' as a poll plank, office of the chief electoral officer, Mizoram on Friday sought clarification from his party within 24-hours.

"The issues raised in the matter involve unity and integrity of the country. It has also been observed that earlier statements issued by your party in Aizawl and Champai districts have openly spoken about secession from India. In light of the above, you are hereby directed to clarify the position of your party on the said matter for further necessary action at our end," said the letter issued by Krishna Mohan Uppu, additional CEO, Mizoram.

The CEO office also enclosed the DH news report and clippings of some other local newspapers containing news items about his demand for secession, along with the notice.

The letter was issued to the president of People's Right to Information and Development Implementation Society of Mizoram (PRISM), an anti-corruption watchdog-turned political party, which named TBC Lalvenchhunga to contest the state's lone Lok Sabha seat.

In his reply, PRISM's president, Vanlalruata, in a letter to additional chief electoral officer said, "Government of India is trying to legalise Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which clearly divides Indian people, especially Northeast people but it is pending in the Rajya Sabha. President of BJP, Amit Shah earlier said if his party wins the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the bill will be re-introduced and we think that this is against unity and integrity of India and we strongly oppose it. So our party decided to introduce a Right to Secession Bill if the Citizenship Bill is re-introduced."

Talking to DH over the phone on Wednesday, Lalvenchhuna, 36, who served in the navy between 2001 to January 2016 said if elected, he would table a private members bill in the Parliament seeking Right to Secession, not from the country but exempting Mizoram from BJP's Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He said indigenous Mizos had no option but to raise such a demand as BJP was trying to welcome illegal migrants from Bangladesh (the Buddhists Chakmas), whereas the government was imposing restrictions on free movement of Mizos living in Chin state of neighbouring Myanmar and Mizoram.

The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 7 but was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha due to the strong protests in the Northeast (including Mizoram) and Congress' opposition. The state had witnessed demand for sovereignty during the protest against the bill in December and January.


In his reply, PRISM's president, Vanlalruata, in a letter to additional chief electoral officer said, "Government of India is trying to legalise Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which clearly divides Indian people, especially Northeast people but it is pending in the Rajya Sabha. President of BJP, Amit Shah earlier said if his party wins the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the bill will be re-introduced and we think that this is against unity and integrity of India and we strongly oppose it. So our party decided to introduce a Right to Secession Bill if the Citizenship Bill is re-introduced."