Secure footing still eludes Mizo Nepalese

Aizawl, Apr 24: A strong sense of alienation has gripped the 30,000 strong century old Nepali inhabitants in Mizoram here and they have demanded their present social status to be clearly defined.

The community has started to search its identity and rights to get a secure footing in the state.

The Indian Nepalese had come to the erstwhile Lushai hills (present Mizoram) as sepoys, employed by the Britishers, to subdue the tribe of savages living in these hills.

Later most of these soldiers stayed on, accepting Mizoram as their adopted home. The same settlers are at a loss today, facing an uncertain future, having to tolerate unacceptance in their ancient home.

'' Our forefathers were enlisted by the British in the Indian army and were brought to Mizoram. We are their direct descendants. The Gorkhas have been residing in Mizoram peacefully along with their Mizo brothers and sisters. But today, our youth have no employment opportunities and their future is very bleak,'' Mr Indra Kumar Subba, adviser to Mizoram Gorkha Students union, told UNI.

''The majority of the Mizo people does not recognise our community as part of theirs, but tolerate us as we have been residing among them for more than a century'', he said adding ''no one can deny that Gorkha residents are a minority in the state, but the government has sadly failed to recognise this for a very long time.'' Mr Subba said they have been urging the Mizoram government to declare them as Other Backward Class (OBC) for the last five years and for which a memorandam has been submitted.

'' At least if we get the OBC status, it would enable the deserving Gorkha students to try for employment outside the state'', he pointed out.

''Several political parties, including the ruling Mizo National Front and the Congress, make written promises before every election that our demand of getting OBC status would be met once they came to power. So far nothing has been done'', the student leader said. ''It is sad to note that more than thousand young graduates from our community were working as casual labourers, daily wage earners and salesman, and not getting permanent jobs in Mizoram because of non-recognition,'' Mr Subba rued.

Experts and intellectuals feel that the Gorkhas should be given all benefits due to Scheduled Castes, as they are natives of the tribal state.

'' The Gorkha problem must be addressed by the government and any representation made in this context to the state or Centre must be taken up seriously'', Vice-president of Forum for implementation of constituonal Rights in Mizoram (FIRCOM) David N Thangliana said.

The best course of action, he said, would be to classify the Gorkha minority community as OBC as it does not come under either the scheduled Tribes of the Scheduled caste category.

However, addressing the 29th general assembly of the Mizoram Gorkha Youth Association at Vanapa Hall here, Chief Minister Zoramthanga recently said ''there is no discrimination against the Mizoram's Gorkhas since they have been living here for many years.

The government is looking into their problems, and is sympathetic towards their well being''.

UNI