Samaw.com

Siaha/Saiha: Mara Thyutlia Py(MTP), the biggest NGO among  Mara people in South Mizoram have demanded the renaming of Saiha Disctrict to Maraland District, reported Maraland.net.

The resolution to change the name of the district was adopted at MTP General Hqrs. Special Assembly 2007 held at the Conference Hall, Deputy Commissioner Office, Saiha on July 11 and July 12 this year.

The website reported that leaders of the said organisation will approach the concerned authorities to press its demand for the name change.

Earlier, in 2006 MTP had also passed a resolution demanding the renaming of all towns, villages, rivers, etc, in the district from Lusei (Mizo) language to the local Mara language ones.  The organisation press release stated that using an outside name is alien to the native Mara population. Such names (using Lusei names for town, villages, rivers, schools, etc. in Mara district) only create hostility among otherwise peaceful tribes living in Mizoram and it also shows as if Mara people are living in an occupied land who need freedom.

Almost 85% of the inhabitants of Saiha District are Mara people who were earlier known as Lakhers by outsiders, they are governed by Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC). The rest are made up of other Zo tribes - Lai (Pawi), who are dominant tribe in Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) and Lusei (Mizo) tribe - the dominant tribe in the state.

Maras have often shown their displeasure at calling their headquarter as Saiha (a Lusei name) instead of Siaha, the local Mara name.