by Admin | January 21st, 2010
Individual acts of nonviolent resistance happen everyday. Some are successful. Some are not. In this case the Lokhoboti Reang defied Mizo mobs engaged in a pogrom to evict Brus from Mizoram, India, by refusing to leave her house when threatened.
To quote from the outstanding fact finding report published by the Asian Centre for Human Rights, “The mob also sought to burn down the house of Surjamoni Reang. However, it could not be burnt as
Ms. Lokhoboti Reang refused to vacate the house.
Ms. Lokhoboti Reang told the ACHR FFT:
“They ordered me to get out of the house so that they can burn the
house. I told them I will die inside the house but not get out. Then
they took out a dagger to scare me. I told them you can kill me but I
will not leave the house. We will die here (Mizoram) but not leave”.
All these happened in presence of the security forces and the district
officials.”
Unfortunately, although there were successful acts of resistance, 5000 have been displaced with 2000 fleeing Mizoram for neighboring Tripura, where they live in squalid conditions.
An encouraging sign of compassion comes from the Mizo christian churches that have a mixed track record of support for those beyond their communities. According to the report, substantial funds were raised by Presbyterian, Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, Methodists and Baptists. Let’s hope that the various denominations can also increase their support for Burmese refugees and provide more leadership in upholding the human rights for all the people of the region.
As an aside-
I look forward to the day when flat footed liberation front engages in a nonviolent struggle to eradicate high heel shoes that women all wear in Aizawl and many parts of Mizoram. Mizo women associate high heels with being a good christian, a peculiar relic of American missionaries. Spending every day walking up and down stairs makes high heels in hilly Mizoram is as sensible as kilts in northern scotland and abayas and hijabs in tropical climates.