1355 Mizo families refused to enroll in census

Aizawl | June 17 : The wrong belief of fear of the number of beast or devil has prompted large number of Mizos in Mizoram to refuse from enrolling their names in the National Population Registration (NPR) taken up along with the Census 2011 by the authorities here.
This came to light when Mizoram Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau today reviewed the first phase of census 2011 and National Population Registration (NPR) in the state of Mizoram which is going on across the state.
The meeting was attended by GAD Commissioner C Lalsawta, Census Operation officials, DCs of various district, leaders of NGOs and representatives from the churches. The first phase of census 2011 was kick started in the state in May 15 and will be completed on June 30.
Highlighting the biggest hurdles and difficulties faced by the census officials, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) informed the gathering that the wrong belief of ' fear of the 'beast' or the devil's number'.
As per their reports, there are 1355 families who refused to enroll their names in the National Population Registration (NPR) taken up along with the Census 2011 here from May 15.
Aizawl district is numbering one, in fact, there are more than 400 families who refused to enroll their names in the National Population Register (NPR).
Interestingly, there are also government employees who too refused to get enrolled in the NPR and their numbers is 18. Mamit district has the least numbers of families who refused the same. There are only 18 in total. This is much lower than the Aizawl district.
The dread stems from Chapter 13 Verse 17 of the Book of Revelations in the Bible which says "... and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name."
The problem has stemmed from the Unique Identification Authority of India stipulating that no one could buy or sell property without the Unique ID card.
According to adherents of the belief, since buying or selling of property made one a follower of the beast, one having the UID card, which authorised property transactions, automatically made one a follower of the devil.
Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Church Synod, the highest decision making body of the largest Church in the state on June 13 issued a message to all members asking them to cooperate with census officials as it was the duty of every citizen to do so.
The Church said that UID was important to identity bona fide citizens of the country and also help in identifying illegal immigrants and terrorists. The Church also condemned people who were issuing booklets about the 'Number of the Beast' to terrify church members.
Newmai News Network