Former rebels continue hunger strike over ‘unfulfilled’ promises

Upset over alleged non-implementation of promises made to them ahead of the last two state polls, a group of former insurgents in Mizoram have been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike for 17 days.

Twenty members of the Mizoram Underground Returnees’ Association (MURA), an organisation of former Mizo National Front (MNF) rebels, have been on fast-unto-death since June 8 at their office in Aizawl.

The former rebels allege agreements between MURA and the state’s Congress unit ahead of the 2008 and 2013 assembly elections are yet to be fulfilled by Mizoram’s current government.

The state’s Congress government, however, denies the charge and maintains enough have been done in the past five years to rehabilitate the former rebels. Mizoram goes to polls towards the end of this year.

“The party which in power now had agreed to provide us housing, government jobs, contracts for government supplies and overall development of our people. But these were not fulfilled,” said MURA president PC Lalthuama.

As per the agreement, mem-

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bers of MURA were promised ₹20 lakhs each as housing assistance. But Lalthuama says only 43 rebels were allotted plots and 30 others given funds to build house.

MURA claims to have nearly 3,500 members in the state.

“The health conditions of some of our members, especially those above 70, have deteriorated because of the fast. But we won’t give up till our demands are fulfilled,” said Lalthuama.

Representatives of MURA had an interaction with chief minister Lal Thanhawla last Tuesday, but no resolution could be arrived at.

Another meeting with other ministers and officials is expected this week.

“We have done everything in our capacity to rehabilitate the former rebels well. There is no question of non-fulfilment of promises,” Mizoram home minister and Congress leader R Lalzirliana said.

Lalzirliana who is also the vice-president of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee said the state government is unlikely to give in to the demands made by MURA.

Mizoram is the only Congress-ruled state in the northeast. A keen contest is expected between the party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in collaboration with other outfits when assembly elections take place later this year.