ZoRO plans stir on Wed to oppose FMR scrap

Aizawl: The Zo Reunification Organisation (ZoRO) has declared plans to conduct demonstrations throughout Mizoram on Wednesday to oppose the Centre's recent decisions regarding border control measures with Myanmar, including the cancellation of Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing initiatives.
In Aizawl, ZoRO youth wing president Michael Lalramsanga addressed journalists about governmental directives from both India and Mizoram that now require residents from both regions to obtain border passes for crossing the Mizoram-Myanmar boundary.
Lalramsanga said, "We the ‘Zofate' (ethnic Mizos) were divided into three countries – India, Burma and Bangladesh without our consent and without consulting us. Knowing fully well that we belong to the same progenitor, the Indian govt allows crossing of the border on both sides up to 16km under the FMR."
He added that ZoRO strongly disapproves of the FMR's withdrawal and the new requirement for border passes, viewing these actions as deliberate measures to restrict the ‘Zofate' communities residing on both sides of the border.
He said ZoRO's commitment to resist both the FMR's termination and the proposed border fencing project, noting that these governmental decisions contradict the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.
He referenced Article 36(1) of the declaration: "Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities."
He said on Jan 29, official documents from both central and state govts restricting border movement and mandating border passes will be burnt in front of Vanapa Hall in Aizawl and at all district headquarters.