Mizo govt to flush out illegal settlers

Aizawl, Oct 15 (UNI) The spectre of ethnic conflict between Mizos and non-Mizos is looming large here with a fresh move by the government to flush out foreigners and illegal immigrants from the state by conducting a population survey on the eve of 20th year of the Mizoram Peace Accord.

The decision was taken during a meeting Chief Minister Zoramthanga had with senior bureaucrats last week.

According to official sources, the Chief Minister initiated the move and stressed the need to conduct the survey following infiltration from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

''Infiltration has become a major problem for the state, which hampers development of Mizoram and the process would identify extremists who may enter the country through Mizoram,'' Mr Zoramthanga said.

He said ''We share an international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar and chances of illegal immigrants crossing over to Mizoram is quite high. The state government is concerned about those who have already sneaked into the country.'' Explaining the decision and the model of survey, Mr Zoramthanga said even Indian nationals, who enter the state illegally without Inner Line Permits (ILPs), would be subjected to the survey in order to root out illegal settlers in Mizoram.

The Chief Minister said the state capital was especially vulnerable to these illegal nationals as a result of which stringent checking of the ILPs would be conducted.

MORE UNI BB PL HS HS1138