Mizo sects bar children from going to school

Aizawl, Nov 19 (UNI) A religious sect in southern Mizoram has stopped their children from going to school.

The sect, led by Rohmingliana, a high priest or Godfather from Ralvawng village in Southern Lunglei district, refused to enrol children in schools.

They believe that members of their sect should have nothing to do with the government or any organisation and that sending the children to schools would "kill" them.

Various NGOs, including Mizo Zirlai Pawl, the largest student's body in the state and Mizo student's union, tried to talk to Rohmingliana but in vain.

''God told me not to do so. If I disobeyed my God, serious consequences will befall the children,'' the high priest said.

Earlier this year, the Mizoram Child Welfare Committee (CWC) took away 14 children, all under 12 years of age, from nearby Melriat village.

Their parents had stopped them to go to school on instructions from Priestess Lalliani.

Like Rohmingliana, high priestess Lalliani, also forbid her followers to enrol themselves in any forum that has a link with the government.

"Doing so will mean giving oneself up to the clutches of evil," she believes.

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