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The Mizoram government warned people that they were liable to imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of Rs 1,000 if they refused to cooperate with census officials on grounds of religious belief. An official statement said that a meeting of officials engaged in the census operation chaired by Chief Secretary Van Hela Pachuau, decided to make one last attempt to persuade the families of their unfounded fear of the 'beast' or the devil.
It said they would be warned of punitive action and that punishment should be imposed if they continue to refuse to enroll their names in the Census and the National Population Register (NPR).
According to reports of deputy commissioners, there were 1,355 families that refused to have their members' names enrolled in the ongoing census for fear of being marked with 'the number of the beast' if they accept the Unique Identification (UID).
There were over 400 such families in Aizawl district, 328 in Kolasib, 173 families in Lawngtlai, 167 families in Champhai, 106 families in Lunglei, 50 families in Serchhip, 64 families in Saiha and 15 families in Mamit.
Incidentally, among those who had refused to enroll their names were 20 government officials, with only two agreeing to it after strong persuasion by authorities involved in the process.
The fear of being identified with the 'number of the beast' stems from the Bible's Revelation chapter 13 Verse 17 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 Unique Identification Authority of India stipulates that no one can buy or sell property without the UID card among its other key uses.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mizos-fear-the-devil-shun-census/124517-3.html?from=tn
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