Mizoram, a state in Northeastern India, is recently experiencing widespread protests concerning the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) engineered these demonstrations, a potent Mizo multinational student organization and Mizoram’s apex student body. As opposed to Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura, where the concern lies with Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh, Mizoram frets about the influx of the Chakmas.
Mizoram’s Worries Over The Chakmas
The Chakmas, a tribal group that leans towards Buddhism, are dispersed over different parts of the Northeast and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, which borders Mizoram. The region has suffered ethnic hostility, including arson, Chakmas’ names removal from voters’ lists, and blockage of admissions for Chakma students in colleges.
According to MZP, the census shows that Chakmas in Mizoram have grown from just 198 in 1901 to over 80,000 in 1991. This steep growth rate indicates possible immigration from Bangladesh. In contrast, Chakma activists dispute this claim by referring to a 2015 report presented by the Mizoram government to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The report affirms that the legitimacy of census figures between 1901 and 1941 is uncertain as the Census Directorate in Mizoram does not have them.
| Year | Chakma Population in Mizoram |
|---|---|
| 1901 | 198 |
| 1991 | 80,000+ |
| 2011 | 96,972 |
Who are the Chakmas?
The Chakmas are an ethnic community originating from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a majority of which are in Bangladesh. They have made their presence felt in northeast India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Due to ongoing tribal conflicts with Mizos, many Chakmas, particularly those from Mizoram, reside in relief camps in southern Tripura, where they also participate in Mizoram elections.
Chakmas’ Exodus From Chittagong Hill Tracts
The construction of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River and subsequent land losses, coupled with religious bigotry, prompted the Chakmas residing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to escape erstwhile East Pakistan in 1964-65. The Indian government erected relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh, where most of these refugees continue to reside.
Challenges Faced By Chakmas In Arunachal Pradesh
In Arunachal Pradesh, the arrival of Chakma refugees instigated opposition from locals and regional political parties. The fear that these refugees might alter the state’s demography and expend its limited resources led to this resistance.
Chakmas’ Resistance To Their Inclusion In Bangladesh
The Chakmas objected to their inclusion in undivided Pakistan during the partition and later resisted their incorporation into Bangladesh during the Liberation War between East and West Pakistan. This led to an increase in refugees flowing into India as some Chakmas engaged in armed conflict with Bangladeshi forces under the name ‘Shanti Bahini’. However, a 1997 peace treaty between the Bangladeshi government and the Shanti Bahini ended the insurgency.
Chakmas’ Struggle For Citizenship In India
The Supreme Court ordered the Centre in 2015 to grant citizenship to Chakmas who migrated from Bangladesh between 1964 and 1969. It was a response to a plea by the Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas. Subsequently, amendments were introduced to the Citizenship Act of 1955, which many criticize for making illegal immigrants eligible for citizenship based on their religion, violating Article 14 of the Constitution.
