Aizawl, Aug 8 (PTI): The Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO), which represents indigenous Zo or Mizo communities across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, on Saturday renewed its call for reunification of the community’s people living across the three countries, asserting that greater unity was essential to safeguard their common identity and future.
The call came at a rally organised here to mark the 31st World Indigenous Day.
Around 1,000 people representing different Mizo ethnic communities took part in the rally, which began at Millennium Centre in Dawrpui and culminated at Vanapa Hall, ZORO said.
Participants also showcased traditional attire representing 48 different Mizo communities, it said.
Addressing the march, Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Robert Romawia Royte said unity was crucial for the survival and progress of the Mizo people.
He urged the gathering to support ZORO’s initiatives, stressing that the organisation was not affiliated with any political party, church or other organisation and could therefore serve as a common platform for bringing the Zo people together.
State Art and Culture Minister Lalsawivunga graced the main event held at Vanapa Hall.
Speaking on the occasion, Lalsawivunga highlighted key issues and challenges that needed to be addressed as the Zo people continued to work towards their future.
He also spoke about the framework established by the United Nations for indigenous peoples and its relevance to the Zo community.
ZORO president R. Sangkawia said the 2011 census put the population of Zo people at around 30 lakh across their inhabited areas, which together covered nearly 90,000 square kilometres.
He said the Zo people, despite living across regions dominated by different religious communities, shared a common identity and faith.
The ethnic Zo people (also synonymous with Mizo) are an indigenous ethnic community spread across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
They have historically sought to overcome the territorial divisions created during British rule and reunite under a common political administration.
In India, the largest concentration of Zo people is found in Mizoram and Manipur.
In Myanmar, they are predominantly found in Chin state, while in Bangladesh they identify themselves as indigenous inhabitants of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The Zo ethnic communities are identified primarily under three nomenclatures – Mizo (particularly in Mizoram), Kuki (particularly in Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland), and Chin in Myanmar.
ZORO was established in 1988 with the objective of bringing the Zo people together under a single administration.
The organisation is affiliated with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and regularly sends representatives to various UN forums.
Despite being divided by international borders, the Zo communities in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh have continued to maintain close ties and extend mutual support during periods of crisis. PTI CORR MNB
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