October 5, 2018: With State Assembly polls in Mizoram knocking at the door, Mizoram State Election Commission is preparing voters’ list for Reang refugees staying in two sub-divisions in Tripura. Sources said, final round of voter list correction and ‘name inclusion’ had started at Naisinghpara refugee camp from Wednesday and will continue until Friday.
As P Lalthanhawla led Congress Government will complete its term in November next, Mizoram State Election Commission is gearing up and ensuring that Reang refugees staying in Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions for last 19 years can exercise their democratic rights in ensuing Assembly polls. As part of the poll process, CEO of Mizoram State Election Commission( SEC) , SB Shashank visited Naisinghpara refugee camp in June last and directed the SEC to take steps to enroll names of Reang people. Accordingly, SEO started poll process.
According to available information, more than 18,000 Reang people are staying in Tripura. These Reang refugees are likely to play crucial role in Mizoram Polls. Five years ago before Assembly polls, P Lalthanhawla promised to ensure repatriation of Reang refugees to Mizoram. However, during last five years, Mizoram Government took no proper initiatives to address the demands raised by Reang refugees, sources said and added, “Whatever packages announced for refugees willing to repatriate, were announced by the Central Government and Mizo had no role”.
However, local sources said, Reang refugees are participating in the poll preparation process enthusiastically.
