AIZAWL, March 17: The Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) has submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the central government to reconsider its decision on border fencing and the abolition of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The association expressed strong opposition to the proposed border fencing, stating that it would sever deep ethnic and cultural ties between the Mizo people on both sides of the border, disrupt livelihoods, and harm long-standing traditions of cross-border interaction. CYMA has called on the government to halt the fencing project and reconsider the impact on the Mizo community.
In addition to border security concerns, CYMA has highlighted the pressing humanitarian needs of Mizoram, which is currently sheltering over 40,000 refugees from Myanmar, 2,000 refugees from Bangladesh, and 12,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Manipur. Despite its small population of 1.2 million, Mizoram has extended resources to provide shelter, food, and other necessities for these displaced communities. CYMA has requested the central government to allocate more funds for the welfare of refugees and to support local NGOs and churches assisting in relief efforts.
CYMA also emphasized the need for infrastructure development in the state, including a major upgrade of Lengpui Airport, Mizoram’s only operational airport. The airport, constructed in 1995, requires an extended runway to accommodate larger aircraft, improved terminal buildings, and an upgraded Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. The association has requested the central government to allocate ₹1,000 crore for the airport’s modernization. Furthermore, CYMA highlighted the need for a new convention hall with a capacity of over 1,000 people to cater to the growing population of Aizawl and other cities in Mizoram. The association has urged the government to provide funding for a state-of-the-art convention center to host cultural, educational, and social events.
The association also recommended the creation of a dedicated Mizo Battalion within the Border Security Force (BSF) to strengthen border security, curb illegal immigration, combat drug trafficking, and improve local recruitment and community relations. Mizoram, located on the international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, has been facing a severe drug crisis, with rising drug trafficking and substance abuse. CYMA has called for additional funding for law enforcement, drug prevention programs, rehabilitation centers, and community engagement initiatives to address the growing menace.
Another key demand put forward by CYMA is the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Mizo language is spoken by over 8.3 lakh people in Mizoram and thousands more outside the state. In 2009, UNESCO declared the Mizo language as ‘vulnerable,’ and CYMA emphasized that granting it scheduled language status is crucial for its preservation and promotion.
In their memorandum, CYMA urged Amit Shah to address these critical issues, emphasizing that Mizoram’s unique cultural, security, and humanitarian challenges require immediate attention. The association remains hopeful that the central government will take proactive steps to ensure the welfare of the Mizo people and safeguard their cultural heritage.
The CYMA’s appeal reflects the pressing concerns of Mizoram, spanning border security, refugee assistance, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation, with a clear call for the government to prioritize these issues to ensure the well-being and future of the state.
