Aizawl, November 15 2009: Mizoram is literally burning on Sunday as the violence between Mizos and the Bru communities escalated this morning to a large scale whereby over 300 houses have been burnt down.

Mizoram police sources informed NNN that in a Mizoram district of Mamit bordering Tripura, Mizo youths set the Bru (Reang) settlements and reduced 313 houses to ashes on Sunday.

Reports said that out of the total number of houses set ablazed, 270 houses of the Bru community and the remaining 43 were Mizo houses.

However, no human casualities have been reported so far.

The violence has been triggered by the killing of an 18 year old Mizo youth identified as one Zarzokima by Bru militants on Friday.

With the reports of burning down of over three hundred (300) houses in Mamit district in Mizoram, the government of Mizoram has taken up security measures to take stock of the situation for further unwanted incident which broke out in connection with the brutal killing of Zarzokima, an 18 year old Mizo youth in Bungthuam on Friday last by suspected Bru rebels.

Jawans from 3rd IR Bn and 4th IR Bn rushed today at vulnerable areas in Mamit district of Mizoram.

According to government officials, in addition to the previous strength of police personnel, 12 platoons from 3rd IRB have been deployed at Bungthuam, Damdiai, Tuidam, W.Phaileng/Damparemgpui, Bawngva, Tumpanglui and others villages in Mamit district.

The state government today reinforced the present of army personnel by deploying 251 army personnel from 4th IRB.

Commandant Lalhuliana Fanai, 4th IRB also left Aizawl today to take stock of the problem.

Mizoram DGP Lalrokhuma, IPS had urged his counterpart Tripura DGP to ensure that no untowards incidents take place on Mizo community residing at Zampui Hills in Tripura.

The Mizos, in retalliation to the killing the Mizo youth burnt 270 houses while the Brus (Reangs) managed to burn down 43 Mizo houses and over 5,000 people have been displaced in Mizoram.

Meanwhile, Bru National Army (BNA), a less known militant group has claimed responsibility for the gunning down of the Mizo youth on Friday.

Condemning the killing, several political parties and the influential Young Mizo Association.

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