AIZAWL: The Mizoram government on Friday said at least 25 illegal villages had been set up in areas bordering Bangladesh Myanmar and Manipur . This was revealed by local administration minister K Lalrinliana in the assembly.In a written reply to a question from Zoram People's Movement legislator C Lalsawivunga, Lalrinliana said 16 ilegal villages are located in Lunglei district which borders Bangladesh.He added that four such villages are located in Aizawl district, three in Champhai district and two in Mamit district. Lunglei and Mamit share borders with Bangladesh, while Champhai has a common boundary with Manipur and Myanmar.Recently, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, an influential students' organization, and Mizo Students' Union, had conducted a study of border areas.Following this, they alleged that those who have set up the illegal villages are Chakmas, who entered Mizoram from Bangladesh. They claimed that the illegal settlements in Aizawl district have been established by ethnic Mizos from Manipur.In the wake of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill controversy, Mizoram had witnessed widespread street protests. The purpose of the bill was to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.Mizos, who are predominantly Christians, feared that such a proposal would encourage influx of Buddhist Chakmas who complain of religious persecution in Bangladesh.

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