Burmese migrants told to leave South Mizoram town



Kamalanagar, January 19, 2007 - Burmese migrants in College Veng, Saiha, in South Mizoram have been told to leave the locality in the wake of a murder of a local.

Mara Thyulia Py (Mara Youth Organization), College Veng, Saiha, Mizoram, India in a press communiqué ordered Burmese migrants to vacate the locality in 28 hours on January 10. MTP took this stern action after a local was murdered by a Burmese migrant on December 27, 2006.

Rammawia murdered Rothanga belonging to the locality enraging residents of College Veng. The killer was arrested by Saiha Police after three days of the murder.

"Burmese migrants settled in College Veng are in a spot. They are being displaced and have to find refuge in the homes of other migrant families in other localities," said a Burmese human rights activist on condition of anonymity.

No untoward incidents have been reported so far after the expiry of the notice to vacate. Burmese migrants in Saiha, however, are anxious and apprehensive of vindictive action against them by the town as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Saiha police transferred Rammawia to Lunglei jail apprehending a riot in Saiha prison. The MTP has targeted Burmese migrants but untoward incidents may occur as most of Burmese are traders, who are supposed to leave Saiha after finishing the day's business, according to a police officer in Saiha.

"It is peaceful in the town despite the notification by the MTP," said a senior official in the Saiha police when contacted.

Meanwhile, the medical training organized by the National Health and Education Committee in new Saiha east locality continues 'peacefully' according to Pu Bawia, owner of the training venue. The President of MTP, Dr K Beichhua, could not be contacted as he was busy in his clinic.

The relationship between Burmese migrants and locals in Saiha were cordial prior to the murder. MTP and Burma's democracy parties have jointly fought against social vices, such as production and supply of liquor in the town.