Thousands of Chakma tribal villagers on January 28 protested against “everyday harassment” by the Border Security Force (BSF) at Silsury village in Mamit district of Mizoram.
Silsury is situated at the India-Bangladesh border and the 38th Bn. BSF is posted at Silsury Border out post (BOP). Silsury village comprises of two village councils namely, Silsury East Village Council and Silsury West Village Council, an update stated.
According to the protestors, they are victims of India-Bangladesh border fencing but they have not been provided resettlement and rehabilitation by the central government and hence, majority could not relocate inside from the border areas.
The BSF BOP is situated just in the middle of the Silsury village and the BSF personnel have erected a security check post in the middle of the village.
Every vehicle entering Silsury village has to pass through the security check post and the BSF jawans harass the villagers by preventing entry of goods such as foodgrain, rice bags, grocery, woollen clothes/blankets (necessity during the harsh winter) and any kind of forest products, the villagers alleged.
“Chakmas are tribals and majority of villagers are poor. The local shopkeepers/traders of Silsury village bring daily use items or groceries, medical supplies etc for sale as they have shop/trade license but the BSF is seizing their goods at the BOP check post. This is impacting livelihood of the villagers,” it stated.
“The BSF are also seizing timber, bamboo, logs/wood which are cut from private gardens and meant for private use, namely construction or repair of houses. Even firewood which is necessary for cooking has been regularly seized. This is totally illegal and nothing but harassment to the simple, peace-loving villagers,” stated Prodip Chakma, Village Council president of Silsury West.
The villagers also alleged that the company commander of Silsury BOP does not treat the elected presidents of Village Council/Court of Silsury East and West and other village intellectuals with respect.
“He does not cooperate with the local NGOs either. So, we demand his immediate transfer because his high-handedness and anti-people attitude are creating tension between the BSF and the villagers and there is sense of insecurity in the minds of the villagers,” stated a leader of local NGO.