Aizawl, India - A religious sect in southern Mizoram has stopped its children from going to school as it believes that sending them to educational institutes would ''kill'' them.
The sect, led by Rohmingliana, a high priest or godfather from Ralvawng village in southern Lunglei district, refused to enroll children in schools and the members of the sect feel they should have nothing to do with the government or any organisation.
Various NGOs, including Mizo Zirlai Pawl, the largest student's body in the state and Mizo student's union, tried to talk to Rohmingliana but in vain.
''God told me not to do so. If I disobeyed my God, serious consequences will befall the children,'' the high priest said.
Earlier this year, the Mizoram Child Welfare Committee (CWC) took away 14 children, all under 12 years of age, from nearby Melriat village.
Their parents had stopped them to go to school on instructions from priestess Lalliani.