Villagers to relocate within deadline

Khonumthung News: 13 November, 2006

The military regime has ordered several villagers from Chin state in Burma to meet the deadline for relocating to a new site.

U Lai, chairman of the Thang Tlang Township Development and Peace Council (TDPC) office in Chin state on September 5 directed residents of Tluanram village in Thang Tlang Township to complete shifting to the new site, two miles from the present location, where villages are being relocated by December.

I don’t want to stay at the new place. Instead, I would rather move to a nearby village or Mizoram state of India,” a villager from Tluanram village told Khonumthung.

According a villager, scarcity of water and the bad location of the new villages are the main barriers to moving to the new site.

It is also learnt that TDPC authorities issued the latest instruction because 57 households have stayed back flouting the previous order by the military. About 22 households have relocated to the new place from village in Thang Tlang Township in February.

“The 22 households are facing short of water. If we move to that place, the situation will worsen. Only a few people want to move. They are forcibly pushing us to move while the majorities are refusing to move,” said villager who has not shifted.

A villager said, “Some people are trying to bribe the authorities so that they are not forced to move but eventually, it will be in vain. The authorities are firm and claim the relocation is based on referendum.

The majority in the village are of the opinion that the relocation is absolutely wrong”.

The authorities reportedly want to take action against the disobedient people who are staying in the present location. They will not be allowed stay there anymore. The villages have to find an alternative for a new home.

As a result of the controversy between the authorities and the local people regarding relocation, a primary school in Tlaunram village has been shut down for four months. Moreover, some villagers have been stopped from going to work.

According to a religious leader from Chin state, those who are unwilling to move are very likely to move to Mizoram or some where else.

Tluanram village has been home to people for hundreds of years.

The move to shift Tlaunram village began after the military rulers grabbed power in 1988.