Soaring Wings

New Delhi, Jan 23, 2010: The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today condemned the arrest of Mr R Laldangliana as an attempt of the State government of Mizoram to sabotage the dialogue with the Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF) and the return of the Brus from Tripura. Mr R Laldangliana, Vice President of MBDPF was arrested by the plain clothes Special Branch personnel of Mizoram Police led by Mr R. S. Liantluanga, Inspector at 3.00 pm today, 23 January 2010 at Kanhmun Police Station, Mamit District, Mizoram. Mr Laldangliana was returning along with Mr Elvis Chorkhy (President), Mr S Sawibunga, General Secretary and Mr Bruto Meska after holding talks with the State government on 22 January 2010.

In a letter to the Home Minister P Chidambaram, ACHR stated that the State government of Mizoram took this condemnable measure after the MBDPF in its letter dated 16 January 2010 clearly urged the State government of Mizoram to take measures for immediate return of the Brus who fled to Tripura in November 2009.

In the talks held on 22nd January 2010, the discussion focused on the return of the newly arrived displaced Brus. The MBDPF requested the State government of Mizoram to take measures to facilitate immediate return of the Brus by May 2010. However, Additional Home Secretary to the State government of Mizoram Mr T V Sambawl stated that the Centre had not allocated any funds for the return of the Brus who fled in November 2009. Further, the Deputy Commissioner of Mamit District, Mr Zothankhuma stated that it will take at least six months to prepare the Mizos of Mamit district whether they would allow the return of the Brus.

“All these years, the State government of Mizoram alleged that the Brus sheltered in Tripura do not want to return to Mizoram as the MBDPF leaders who are allegedly enjoying their lives in luxury in the camps do not want the return. However, when the MBDPF expressed in writing to return, the Mizoram government invited the MBPDF leaders under the pretext of holding talks and arrested Mr R Laldangliana to sabotage the entire dialogue and the return of the Brus to Mizoram.” Stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.

ACHR urged Home Minister Chidambaram to intervene with Mizoram government to release Mr R Laldangliana immediately without any conditions; and take immediate measures including release of Central government funds to ensure the return of the Brus who fled in November 2009 could return to their homes before the monsoon which will begin around June 2010.