Aizawl: The Thangram Indigenous Peoples’ Movement (TIPM), representing Mizo communities residing in Singla and Langkaih Valleys within Assam’s Karimganj district, has expressed its desire for the region to be integrated into the state of Mizoram.
TIPM leaders, during a meeting with Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma in Aizawl, said that their communities, culture and religion would be most secure and protected if their area was included inside Mizoram, a leader said on condition of anonymity.
The TIPM, which represents the Zo indigenous people of the Singla and Langkaih (Longai) valleys, urged Lalduhoma to take steps to ensure that their villages and inhabited areas are merged with Mizoram.
The area inhabited by Mizos within Assam territory, known as ‘Thangram’ or the western land, has been identified by the Assam government as a forest reserve area, creating a series of problems for the inhabitants, the TIPM leaders told Lalduhoma.
The TIPM appealed to the CM to help merge the area with Mizoram, citing issues of physical encroachment from majority communities.
“Integrating the area with Mizoram will ensure protection of our tribes, our identity, and religion,” TIPM said.
The area is inhabited by different Mizo sub-tribes such as Hrangkhawl, Sakachep, Molsom, Chorei, and Ranglong.
TIPM claims that over 30,000 people of various Zo ethnic tribes live in the Singla and Langkaih valleys, which cover over 180 square miles of area. It shares its borders with west Mizoram’s Mamit district.
They informed the Mizoram CM that the tribal people face significant difficulties in establishing settlements and farmlands, with many roads in the region remaining in dilapidated conditions, further complicating their daily lives.
The TIPM has been demanding the amalgamation of ‘Thangram’ with Mizoram since 2020 and submitted a memorandum in 2021 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressing their desire for the merger.
Lalduhoma told the leaders that he was aware of the situation of the Mizo people in the two valleys and assured them of help in their efforts to be a part of Mizoram.
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He said his govt would explore all possible means to support their efforts and would not hesitate to take necessary action.
They had also sought help from the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by Zoramthanga.
