The Mizoram government has restricted public movement in Phuldungsei, a small town on the Tripura-Mizoram interstate border, a week after opposing the construction of a temple and community activities in the town. The state government claimed that construction and community activities could deteriorate law and order.
The restrictions have been imposed from October 16 until further orders, according to which, four or more people could not gather in the village and the surrounding areas of Phuldungsei Zampi and Zomuantlang of the Mamit district of Mizoram.
If someone is found violating the order, they would be charged under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that would imprison them for one month or fine them Rs. 200 or both. The incarceration could be extended to six months if the violation of the order poses a threat to the law or to human life, safety and health, the provision says.
Mizoram’s Mamit District Magistrate Dr. Lalrozama, in the ban order delivered on Friday, said that an organization called SONGRONGMA planned to build a Shiv temple in Thaidaw Ylang that falls in the same district. Lalrozama said the organization did not have any permits from the Mizoram government for the construction. Lalrozama said the plan would go against the interests of the local community and could disrupt peace and tranquility in the region. SONGRONGMA is a local indigenous organization in Tripura.
“. .. This has been planned without the permission of the Mizoram Government and is against the interests of the local community and could damage the peace and tranquility in the region … it is necessary to prohibit people from gathering in groups to prevent any adverse incident that is likely to disturb or negatively affect the peace and tranquility that prevails in the region, ”the notification said.
“Phuldungsei village is disputed by Mizoram, but remains under the administrative control of Tripura. The Tripura government has already discussed the matter with Mizoram, ”said a senior administrative official on condition of anonymity.
Although the eastern side of Phuldungsei village falls into Mizoram, the village has traditionally been accepted as part of Tripura.
Phuldungsei village has a population of around 600. The village is located in the Kanchanpur subdivision in the northern district of Tripura.
In August, Kanchanpur Subdivision Magistrate Chandni Chandran informed her senior officials that 130 village residents, who had Tripura ration cards, had been found on the Mizoram voter list.
Mizoram Interior Secretary Lalbiaksangi wrote Tripura Interior Secretary BK Sahu on October 10 calling for the suspension of the temple construction and all kinds of activities within the disputed interstate border.
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