Poonam Nath

Mizoram-Based Organization Announces Protest Against Scrapping of Free Movement Regime

Digital Desk: The Zo Re-Unification Organization (ZORO), a Mizoram-based organization, has announced a protest on January 29 against the Centre and state governments' orders to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fence the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB).

During a press conference, ZORO President Michael Lalramsanga expressed the organization's opposition to the government's decision, stating that it is an "oppression of the Mizos living on both sides of the border." Lalramsanga emphasized that the Mizos living in India and Myanmar have been connected for centuries and that the FMR has allowed them to maintain their cultural and familial ties.

ZORO has called on the people of Mizoram to join their protest and burn the government orders as a symbolic act of defiance. The protest is scheduled to take place in front of Vanapa Hall in Aizawl and other district capitals.

The organization has also criticized the Indian government for opposing Article 36(1) of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007, which recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples to interact and discuss with their own people across international borders.

ZORO has reaffirmed its commitment to reunifying the Zo ethnic communities across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, and has vowed to continue opposing the government's attempts to abolish the FMR and introduce border fencing.