On 30 May 2021, the Indigenous Rights Advocacy Centre (IIRAC) moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights over the death of a 14-year-old tribal boy named Ere Dhan Tongchangya S/O Chirappo Tongchangya in IED landmine blast near India-Myanmar border near Bundukbanga village in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram. The tragic incident happened on 29 May 2021.
The minor tribal boy was severely injured after he wandered near the international border with Myanmar in search of food in the jungle and stepped on a landmine. The incident happened few kilometres away from Bundukbanga village . The boy died at Longpuighat while being taken to Lunglei town for medical treatment.
This is not the first such incident with landline explosion. In March 2019, a 36-year-old Chakma tribal man was severely injured after he wandered into side of Myanmar in search of food and stepped on a landmine (https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/myanmar-landmine-blast-36-year-old-indian-man-looses-leg-in-the-explosion-2006085)
The India-Myanmar border of Mizoram is full of IEDs allegedly planted by Myanmarese militant groups to prevent Indian army from carrying out any strike against them.
In its petition before the rights bodies’, the Indigenous Rights Advocacy Centre(IRAC) submitted that the Government of India and the state government of Mizoram have the constitutional duty to protect its citizens and protect their right to life and physical integrity. Stating that the killing of 14 tribal boy in IED explosion is a serious violation of human rights, IRAC sought the immediate intervention of the national rights bodies and demanded the following measures:
- Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government of Mizoram to order a judicial inquiry into the death of the 14-year-old tribal boy, and submit a report within four weeks;
- Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government of Mizoram to provide a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh as ex gratia compensation to the next of kin of the deceased;
- Direct the MHA and the state government of Mizoram to clear the landmines along the international border of India-Myanmar in the Chakma Autonomous District Council to prevent loss of civilian lives;