In Mizoram .... There's another story with regard 'Bangladeshis' .... ::: It's about Kuki Chins --- "citizens of Bangladesh" and now residing in Mizoram since Nov 2022 ---- "They are our brothers" !!

Crackdown in Bangladesh not only frightens Hindus and Awami League leaders, workers and supporters. 

The northeastern state of Mizoram is now accommodating over 2000 'Bangladeshi Kuki Chin' people in various parts of the state. "Some people are in relief camps but many are also staying with their relatives," a social worker told this blogger.  

According to latest data vis-a-vis Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP), there are altogether 2360 Kuki Chin people who are taking shelter in Mizoram.  The highest number of them are in Lawngtlai - 2042 while state capital Aizawl has 7.

Among other districts, Serchip has 235 while Lunglei district has 76 of them.

Official records say there are no such 'Bangladeshi guest' in Kolasib, Champhai, Siaha and also in Mamit, Saitul, Khawazawl and Hnahthial.  

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), also known as the Bom Party,is a banned ethno-nationalist armed militant political organization in Bangladesh.

It is essentially based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 

Established in 2008, the KNF aims to establish a separate autonomous or independent state for Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mru and Khiang peoples with nine subdistricts (upazilas) of Rangamati and Bandarban districts.

The Front has an armed wing called Kuki-Chin National Army. 

According to Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies, Kuki-Chin National Front has received weapons from Kachin State in Myanmar,and also has ties with Karen rebels. 

In addition, Mizoram is also accommodating 28964 Myanmar nationals. They belong to the Chin group. 

Mizos share ethnic bonds with Kukis and smaller tribes in Manipur and also various ethno groups in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Among the Myanmar nationalists staying in Mizoram -- maximum of 11,715 of them are in politically sensitive Champhai district.    

Among other districts Lawngtlai has an estimated 6017 Myanmar nationals.  

"Keeping these guests is on humanitarian ground and moreover we share ethnic bonds. They are our brothers and sisters," Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga told this journalist at Aizawl on Monday, Jan 26th. 

However, he admitted there are challenging in ensuring food supply. 

"We have once again requested the Centre to provide us an assistance of Rs 5 crore. Matters are being discussed," he said adding, "Last time they gave Rs 5 crore in cash and Rs 5 crore in kind/rice".