Mizo youth shot dead by suspected militants near Tripura-Mizoram border - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

An 18-year old Mizo youth, Zarzokima, was recently shot dead by suspected militants of Bru National Army, a militant group, in the Bungthuam village, near Tripura border. Following the incident, there were acts of ethnic violence, where houses of Bru or Reang tribes were set ablaze by the angry mob. There has been a history of feuds between Bru tribals and the Mizos, following which thousands of people were displaced, who have now taken shelter in southern Assam and Jampui in northern Tripura. Meanwhile, the authorities of the nearby districts met to restore peace in the area, and a relief committee has been formed by the Mizoram Government to help the affected. The authorities have also given Rs one lakh to the family of the slain youth. "The entire village has been burnt. They had their problems with one person, but they burnt the entire village. What will happen to us? We are poor people and do not have food and other facilities," said Basant, a displaced tribal. Earlier in 1997, similar ethnic clashes broke out in the region that pushed thousands of Reangs into refugee camps in Tripura. Meanwhile, political parties and social activists have also condemned the violence and took out a rally to prevent any fresh hostility between Mizos and Reang tribals. "It is very unfortunate to hear that thousands of houses have been gutted where Bru people are living in Mizoram. So, this is the moment when people living in Mizoram are expecting repatriation to heaven. But, it has been proven clearly that Bru people in Mizoram are not safe as they are tortures and prosecuted," said Elvis Chorky. To prevent any further violence, police officials have been camping in mixed populated Tripura villages adjacent to Mizoram. They have also warned the locals and said that troublemakers would be firmly dealt with and brought to book.