Author: Anup Kumar Sinha
Publication: Organiser
Date: April 14, 2002
Reangs, also known as Brus form
a minority in the multi-tribal society of Mizoram. The State otherwise
has an absolute majority of Mizo tribe, be it in local administration or
in trade. In the past few years the State has witnessed mass conversions
by Christian missionaries. The situation has led to tribal strife and at
times it has spanned into other parts of the insurgency-infested northeastern
region. Surprisingly, the ripples were hardly felt at the national level.
Not even the 'secular' media stirred who habitually raise hue and cry I
the name of espousal of the minority cause.
Reangs had to flee from their villages
leaving behind their home and hearth following intermittent strife that
set them against the majority Mizos. Over 40 thousand Reangs are now sheltered
in neighbouring Tripura in the refugee camps run by the State Government
with the help of the Centre. "Mizos, who were in absolute majority, determined
to oust the Reangs started in an organised manner harassing the Reangs
and usurping the latter's property, physically liquidating them and raping
their women. The hapless, Reangs were compelled to leave the State of Mizoram
and seek shelter in neighbouring States like Tripura and countries like
Myanmar and Bangladesh", says Shri Surya Narayan Saxena, Secretary, Vanavasi
Kalyan Ashram, an organisation working for the cause of tribals of India.
He points out that an agreement was reached with the Mizoram Government
in a meeting with the Union Home Ministry in November 1997 to "arrange
repatriation of the Reangs". National Human Rights Commission that was
also seized of the matter strongly recommended to the Government in 1999
to take prompt action and ensure safe return of Reangs under a time-bound
programme. "The Government of Mizoram should take all necessary steps to
impart a sense of confidence and security to the refugees who fled from
Mizoram in the wake of some ethnic tension in September-October 1997",
the NHRC says that in its letter dated 27.10.1999, precious little was
done to ensure their safe return.
As Reangs became refugees in their
own country, they were robbed of their right to elect-their representatives.
Though the Delhi High Court issued notices to Union Home Ministry and the
Chief Election Commissioner to give special voting facilities to Reangs,
the ground realities did not change much. The electoral rolls supplied
consisted of only 28 Assembly segments and that too of the Aizawl District
only. Thus over 17000 Reangs lost their voting rights in one stroke. In
a sense the "political ethnocide" was complete, alleges Shri Saxena.
The condition in the relief camps
is pitiable to say the least. Short on funds the authorities concerned
find it difficult to provide even the basic minimum to the Reang. Representatives
of the Reangs approached the Supreme Court in 1998 for adequate protection
and for creating the right environment for them to return to their native
State. They also sought from the apex court directions to get compensation
for the loss suffered by them. The Court, however, dismissed their petition,
maybe to allow the' Government time to take remedial measures. Four years
have passed and the condition of Reangs has worsened.
In a fresh move, Vanavasi Kalyan
Ashram has filed another petition before the Delhi High Court. The petition
has expressed concern that if not saved by the Court this small scheduled
tribe would be on the brink of extinction in their own habitat, the State
of Mizoram.
The Court has this time admitted
the petition. One hopes the Reangs would get justice sooner rather than
later.
