Leaders of the Mizo convention of Tripura demanded contentious Thaidawr Tlang (Betlingchhip) be declared a protected bio-diversity area. Moreover, the leaders also demanded to prohibit the construction of any religious structure or symbol.
Notably, Betlingchhip recently hit news headlines after a group of Mizo people of Tripura staged a road blockade protesting against an attempt by some other people to offer puja at the spot.
Four-member delegates arrived in Agartala on a two-day visit on August 7 and submitted a memorandum to the office of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha relating to the overall development of Jampui hills including the introduction of Mizo language as a subject in Tripura Central University as well as in TET, Jampui greater water project, upgradation of Jampui PHC to CHC, Upgradation of Jampui Class XII School to Degree College, apart from Betlingchhip issue.
On issues related to Thaidawr Tlâng (Betlingchhip), the four-member delegates urged Tripura and Mizoram governments to hold a cordial discussion as soon as possible to mutually agree upon and permanently solve the inter-state boundary issue, that no religious symbol or structure is built at Thaidawr Tlang (Betlingchhip) by any particular religion or group, and that the site should be declared as protected biodiversity area since it also falls under the Central Catchment Reserve Forests (CCRF).
The team also met the Revenue and Forest Minister NC Debbarma at his residence and discussed issues related to Thaidawr Tlang (Betlingchhip) and reiterated that any development-related project being carried out in the area must ensure that the natural habitat, flora and fauna are not harmed but are being preserved, protected and promoted.
A memorandum in this regard was also submitted to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.
The Mizo leaders also met the Education Secretary and discussed with him the pending issue of inclusion of Mizo language subject in the TET exam as soon as possible. They also suggest temporary arrangements by the inclusion of alternative English subjects even before the Mizo language subject could be introduced as a means of an immediate solution to the problem faced by non-Bengali and non-Kokborok speaking aspirant teachers.
On the issue of Mizo Customary Law, the team met the Principal Law Officer of TTAADC, the OSD to Tribal Welfare Minister Rampada Jamatia and charted out a final map on the implementation of Mizo Customary Law which was already codified and passed by the TTAADC session under Bill No 1 of 2020.
A unanimous decision was made that a final discussion under the chairmanship of the Minister would be held soon in this regard in order to ensure the final approval of the Mizo Customary Law before 26 January 2023.
