Mizoram: Mizoram’s Chief Minister’s Office on Tuesday confirmed that it had received a letter from the Khumi National Democratic Party (KNDP) dated March 5, 2024, requesting assistance for setting up a training facility for their armed wing, the Khumi National Army (KNA), in the Lawngtlai district, which borders Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma has rejected the request, stating that it is beyond the state government’s purview. Lalmuanpuia Punte, Adviser to the Chief Minister (Political), relayed that the letter was sent to the chief minister, who decided it could not be addressed by the state. Lalduhoma also notified the Chief Secretary of the situation.
The letter became widely known after a report by the Hindu newspaper on August 27. The KNDP’s request detailed their struggles with oppression in Myanmar and Bangladesh, asking for Mizoram’s support in establishing a KNA training camp in Lawngtlai, including protection during training and help with acquiring weapons.
The Khumi are a subgroup of the Mizo ethnic community, with populations in Myanmar’s Chin and Rakhine states, the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, and some presence in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district.
