He also made it clear that when the state government learned that 18-year old Zarzokima of Bungthuam village had been killed by alleged Bru militants calling themselves Bru National Army of the Bru Revolutionary Union on November 13, he made a statement to the effect that violence would be retaliated with violence, meaning the State Government would deal strongly with those threatening to disrupt the peace and harmony of Mizoram through violence.
The "prima-facie evidence" mentioned by ACHR to prove that the burning down of Bru villages were pre-meditated by the Government of Mizoram "and some Mizo NGOs" could stem from the accusations made by the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum that his statement was provocative.
The Mizoram Home minister said that as a responsible public leader and a long-time Congress man, he wished to strongly state that his statement was neither provocative nor meant to instigate communal violence.
"I would be the first to admit that the Western and North Western belt of Mizoram has been a simmering pot of communal problems from as far back as 10-15 years ago and that the problems between the Mizos and Brus could escalate at the drop of a hat.
As such, when the State Government learned of the November 13, 2009 killing of a Mizo youth in western Mizoram, the district authorities were immediately alerted to take action to prevent any communal trouble from flaring up while at the same time to vigorously pursue investigations into the killing of the youth," said R Lalzirliana.
R Lalzirliana also said that police forces were sent from various parts of the state to Mamit district, the district where the killing took place, as reinforcements.
The difficult terrain and inaccessibility of some of the villages made it impossible for the police personnel to reach these places and prevent outbursts of violence.
Police, however, managed to prevent miscreants from committing arson at Damparengpui, the biggest Bru village in the area, although, unfortunately, they were unable to save five houses.
At this point in time, the State Government is yet to establish whether any NGO is involved in the torching of villages and investigations are still on.
Meanwhile, seven persons, four from Kawrthah village, two from West Phaileng village and one from Suarhliap village were arrested on November 15, 2009 in connection with the burning down of villages.
It is the State Government’s belief that the killing of Zarzokima was an attempt by some people with self-interests from the Bru community to prevent the repatriation process which was to begin from November 16, 2009 from taking place.
The State Government had taken great pains to see that the repatriation take place as early as possible despite the reluctance shown by the Bru refugee leaders to be repatriated.
This reluctance is clearly highlighted by some of the demands the leaders made, demands that are impossible for the state government to meet such as allocating each refugee family four hectares of land.
He also assured ACHR that the Government of Mizoram is in no way involved in the torching of Bru villages and that relief measures and protection for the victims are in place and have been carried out.
Immediate relief measures carried out was to distribute four kg of rice to each adult and two kg of rice to each child, two blankets per family and a silpouline for temporary shelter.
The district administration has also been instructed to provide cooking utensils and other necessary household items necessary for the construction of huts.
The State Government has also announced ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 for each victim-family which is to be distributed without undue delay.