Hon'ble Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan
Chairperson National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg New Delhi, PIN 110001
Tel.No. 23384012 Fax No. 23384863
E-Mail: covdnhrc@nic.in, ionhrc@nic.in
Subject: Complaint to stop forcible eviction of the Myanmar origin from Phaibawk of Vaphai tract group in Champhai district of Mizoram.
Dear Justice Balakrishnan,
I am writing to seek urgent intervention of the National Human Rights Commission to stop forcible eviction of the Myanmar origin settling in Phaibawk of Vaphai tract group in Champhai district of Mizoram by the Police officials and the Vaphai VC (village Council) and YMA (Young Mizo Association). Please find enclosed family ordered to eviction at Annexure I and their children who were at the school in Annexure II
The authorities have ordered Burmese origins belonging to 23 families settling in Phaibawk area under the Vaphai village council area of Champhai district, who are not on the electoral rolls (voter’s list), to leave Mizoram by April 9. The reason is villagers in Phaibawk of Vaphai tract group in Champhai district had requested for a separate voting booth to the local authorities said by a news report.
These entire household have ration card and the Vaiphai Store keeper (Pu Rinpuia) asked the Phaibawk villagers to submit their Ration Card for issuing of new card, but those who do not have Voter ID were asked to leave their village by the Police officials according to the locals.
The eye witness said that “Champhai Police Officer-in-Charge came to us last Sunday and told us those 23 Burmese families not on the electoral rolls will be driven out of the village. Although 143 members from 23 families will not be allowed to live in the village, but the rest 43, who are children attending schools, will be allowed to continue their schooling.
Although the Vaphai VC (village Council) and YMA (Young Mizo Association) had tried to destroy the houses of those who are not on the electoral rolls in the village, Champhai OC has banned them from staying on reports by the Khonumthung News.
It is not a very fair manner that these children were allowed only to attend the school without their parents who will feed them and they will not have security and will become target and vulnerable to sexual and physical assault. It has violated the rights of the child, please take the action urgent and give their child their rights to live with their parents and their right to continued education.
Zo Indigenous Forum appeals to the NHRC to intervene by taking following measures:
- Direct the State government of Mizoram to immediately halt forcible repatriation.
- Direct the State government of Mizoram to initiate appropriate action against those individuals or organisations that were responsible for forcible repatriation of the Chin refugees under relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code;
- Create a separate division within the NHRC to deal with the refugee problems in India;
- Invite the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to submit its comments and views to the NHRC on the issues raised in the complaint;
- Take any other measures that the NHRC deems fit for protection of the refugees;
Looking forward to your urgent intervention.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely
C. LALREMRUATA
Director
+91-9862373371/8575186174