Chakmas threaten stir over border fencing

The Shillong Times, 3 February 2008
From Our Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of tribals complaining about border fencing, Chakmas from Mizoram have threatened of agitation if compensation is not paid to them.

The Chakmas of Mizoram strongly criticised the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for its alleged failure to keep its promise to release compensation to the families affected by the India-Bangladesh border-fencing project under Lunglei district. In a meeting attended by the representatives from the India-Bangladesh Border Fencing Compensation Demand Committee, Young Chakma Association, Mahila Samity, Mizoram Chakma Students Union and the Village Council here, the Chakmas adopted a strong resolution against the NBCC.

The organisations also vowed not to allow any further construction of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border in Lunglei district until compensation is provided to all the affected families.

The NBCC has failed to release the compensation money in the Lunglei district where it is engaged in the fencing, a statement said.

"We have given our lands, now we want justice to be done with us," the statement said.

Hundreds of Chakmas including women and children have been protesting against the border fencing project at Marpara since last month.

The Centre has taken up fencing along with 318 km-long stretch in Mizoram sector along the India-Bangladesh border, which will displace 5,790 Chakma tribal families consisting of 35,438 persons from 49 villages.

(See link: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/a-3-feb.htm )