India, Oct. 7 -- The Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram's main opposition party, announced on Tuesday that it will observe a statewide total shutdown on October 29 to protest the adoption of the Forest Amendment Act (FCAA), 2023 by the state government.
Party leaders have expressed concerns that the new law could gradually compromise the lands of indigenous people, as it exempts a 100-kilometre area along international borders and allows the government to undertake "strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security" without requiring forest clearance in these areas.
The decision to observe the shutdown was taken at a national executive meeting chaired by MNF president Zoramthanga, according to Lallenmawia ...