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Wednesday, 4 December, 2002, 20:46 GMT
Rat boom sparks India hunger alert
![]() Village elders say rat boom causes famine
The last time the Mizo hills were struck by Mautam was in 1965-66. Village elders say it is still about two or three years away but the rats are beginning to multiply and the anxious state government has announced one Indian rupee as reward to anybody killing a rat to keep their numbers down. Quiet preparations Nearly 40 years ago, Mizoram's current Chief Minister Zoramthanga joined the Mizo National Famine Front to conduct relief for his hungry tribesmen during the Mautam.
Mr Laldenga signed an accord with Delhi in 1986 and returned to normal life but Mr Zoramthanga followed him on the road to power. Mr Laldenga is now dead and Mr Zoramthanga is the chief minister of Mizoram. But as village elders across the Mizo hills become nervous over the onset of Mautam, Mr Zoramthanga says he is quietly preparing for it. "From our experience twice or thrice, we know the bamboo flowers rapidly before the Famine. We know what is going to happen and we are not worried because we have time to prepare. Nobody is worried but we are alert," said Zoramthanga. No research The link between bamboo and the famine is an established part of the Mizo oral tradition and suggest the rat population of the hills will multiply several times over. The rodents ravage the crop, leaving very little for the farmers. That is when disaster strikes. Nearly 40 years ago, the Assam government did not heed the village elders and when the famine came, thousands of angry Mizos took up weapons to fight what they felt was an indifferent government. But now Mizoram is a state by itself, no longer part of Assam and the MNF - which was born of the Mautam - is in power. Chief Minister Zoramthanga confirmed the government was happy to pay an Indian rupee to everyone who kills a rat and collects its tail. "We have the Rodents Control Committee set up by the government and the Mizoram Farmers Union. We are all alert about what could be in store for us", he told the BBC No serious research has been undertaken to unravel the mystery of the Mautam but Mizos know from their oral traditions and the elders that when it comes, it can be disastrous.
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