AIZAWL, Sept 7 - The People�s Representatives for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a political party of Mizoram, has been planning to join the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) �to prepare for a Jammu and Kashmir-like situation� in the State.
The UNPO is an international membership organisation that was established to give voice to unrepresented and marginalised nations and people worldwide.
�In its mission to establish �One India�, the BJP-led Government at the Centre is hell-bent on implementing the Uniform Civil Code based on Hinduism. It has removed J&K�s special status and is suppressing the rights of the people of the State. The same can happen to us any time,� PRISM president Vanlalruata said.
�During the Mizoram insurgency, from 1966 to 1986, the Mizos were voiceless. Therefore, it is crucial that we have our voices heard by the world in case of recurrence of such a situation. Our party has strongly felt the need to have alliance with parties outside the State and links with international organisations such as the UNPO,� Vanlalruata added.
Formed on February 11, 1991 in The Hague, the Netherlands, the UNPO�s members consist of indigenous peoples, minorities, and unrecognised or occupied territories, he stated. The UNPO works to develop understanding of and respect for the right to self-determination, provides advice and support related to questions of international recognition and political autonomy, trains groups on how to advocate their causes effectively, and directly advocates for an international response to human rights violations perpetrated against the UNPO member groups, he said. Nagaland is a member of the UNPO, Vanlalruata said.
The PRISM had opposed inclusion of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the BJP�s election manifesto and spoken about �secession from India� in its manifesto for the last Lok Sabha election in which the party had fielded a former Indian sailor as its candidate for the lone Parliamentary seat in Mizoram.
The PRISM had maintained that if its candidate was elected to the Lok Sabha and the BJP reintroduces the CAB then it would introduce a �Secession Bill� in Parliament. Its candidate, however, lost the election. Due to its stand, the party is on the verge of losing its ECI registration.
