PRISM slams Mizoram governor Jagdish Mukhi, calls him state enemy

Aizawl: People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) on Friday slammed Mizoram governor Jagdish Mukhi, calling him an enemy of the state, for allegedly failing to give nod to a bill similar to Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC), which was passed in March.

A statement issued by the newly-floated political party said that the Mizoram Maintenance of Household Register Bill, 2019, which seeks to detect illegal migrants and foreigners in Mizoram, was passed by the state assembly on March 9.

PRISM alleged that the governor was reluctant to give his assent to the bill.

“We consider the governor as the enemy of Mizoram and the Mizos for being hesitant to endorse a measure to protect the natives,” the statement signed by the party general secretary H Lalremsiama said.

The party also urged the governor to give immediate nod to the bill.

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PRISM had earlier written to chief minister Zoramthanga asking him to take measures so that the governor gives his assent immediately. It also asked the chief minister to pass the bill again after modification in the next Assembly session.

Though the governor has the discretionary power to delay a bill, he cannot delay it further if it is reintroduced and passed in the Assembly again, the party said.

Meanwhile, PRISM president Vanlalruata alleged that there are attempts to scrap the special status granted to the state. He said that the free movement regime on the Indo-Myanmar border, which allow the Mizo communities of both countries to have free contact has been scraped and the centre is trying to re-introduce Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which will attract illegal influx from Bangladesh.

He further alleged there was an attempt to scrap the Inner Line Permit (ILP), a travel document mandatory for outsiders to enter Mizoram.