Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga has called for the formulation of a clear policy to address the increasing influx of Zo ethnic people and other refugees fleeing Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). He said the issue requires urgent attention due to its humanitarian and security implications for the state.
Speaking at a seminar titled “The Potential Impact on Mizoram by the Increasing Subjugation of Tribal People in Bangladesh and the Chittagong Accord” in Aizawl, Sapdanga said the displacement of tribal communities from Bangladesh has become a matter of serious concern. The seminar was organised by the vernacular daily The Zozam Times.
The Home Minister said Zo communities living in the hill regions of Bangladesh have been facing growing pressure from majority communities, resulting in the alleged occupation of ancestral lands and forcing many people to leave their homes due to security concerns.
Sapdanga also highlighted that members of the Chakma and Bru communities are among those affected by the displacement. He said churches, voluntary organisations, and political groups in Mizoram have been providing assistance to the displaced people while remaining mindful of the state’s security requirements.
He stressed the need for a balanced approach that addresses humanitarian responsibilities while ensuring the safety and stability of Mizoram. The minister said a well-defined policy would help the state manage the situation effectively and respond to future challenges arising from cross-border displacement.
