Aizawl, May 11(Reporter) Former Mizoram chief minister and MNF president Zoramthanga has claimed that the Centre is according renewed priority to the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), linking Mizoram with Myanmar’s Chin State, in response to aggressive posturing from the new leadership in Bangladesh. During a visit to Zorinpui on Saturday — the last Indian outpost on the Myanmar border and a key point along the KMMTTP road — Zoramthanga crossed over into Myanmar and inspected the project site. Speaking to reporters, he said the Kaladan project holds immense promise for the people of Mizoram, adding that the Centre now appears fully committed to fast-tracking the long-delayed infrastructure initiative. According to Zoramthanga, recent political shifts in Bangladesh have prompted the central government to reassess the strategic value of the Kaladan route. "The current rulers of Bangladesh, who are radical Muslims, have asserted that the northeast region is connected to mainland India only via the 20-kilometre-long Siliguri corridor — the 'chicken neck'," he said. "They even threatened that if the corridor is severed, the northeast would be cut off from the rest of the country and could be taken over with China's support." He said such provocative statements have compelled New Delhi to awaken to the strategic and logistical significance of the Kaladan project. "The threats from Bangladesh have made the Centre realise the urgency of completing this project, which is not only vital for the northeast but also for the rest of India," he said. Zoramthanga also said that the Mizo National Front would play a constructive role in ensuring the project’s successful completion. Recalling the historical ties between Mizos and Myanmar, he noted that Rakhine State (formerly Arakan), through which the Kaladan route passes, was once a safe haven for the underground MNF movement. “We even established our ‘Capital Headquarters’ there before signing the historic Mizo Accord in 1986,” he said...////...