Mizoram Peace Accord

Last updated

Mizoram Peace Accord
Mizoram Peace Accord, 1986
TypePeace
SignedJune 30, 1986 (1986-06-30)
Location New Delhi, India
Original
signatories
Parties
LanguageEnglish

The Mizoram Peace Accord, 1986 was an official agreement between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front (MNF) to end insurgency and violence in Mizoram, India, that started in 1966. [1] The Mizo National Front was an organisation of Mizo secessionists led by Laldenga to fight for independence from India. The movement was basically due to lack of support from the government during the great famine (called Mautam ) in Mizoram in the late 1950s. Political insurgency and social unrest ensued in the next decades. After a number of negotiations, the document titled Mizoram Accord, 1986: Memorandum of Settlement was finally signed on 30 June 1986. It was signed by Laldenga for MNF, R.D. Pradhan, Home Secretary, Government of India, and Lalkhama, Chief Secretary, Government of Mizoram. [2] It is remarked as the most and only successful peace agreement in India after its independence from British Empire in 1947. [3] [4]

Contents

Background

The Mizo people were incorporated to the British rule since the 1870 as a retaliation of the Mizo people invading the British territory and capturing a British girl Zoluti (Mary Winchester). [5] As India gained independence in 1947, the Mizo people were governed under the state of Assam. In 1952, a subsidiary government called the Lushai Hills District was created under Assam, which basically covered the later Mizoram. There was a general opposition as many Mizo people were demarcated in Manipur and Burma (Myanmar). They demanded that Mizo people should be given freedom of either independence or join Burma. The political situation was exacerbated in 1959 when there was a famine due to Mautam. Mautam is a literal term for bamboo flowering and death every 48 or so years. It was accompanied by plagues of insects and rodents. Particularly plagues of rats caused total agricultural destruction in 1959. The Mizo people blamed Assam and Indian authorities for negligence. A social organisation named Mautam Front was established in 1960 for local relief works. It was soon renamed the Mizo National Famine Front to enthuse the Mizo people that the organisation was of the Mizo people only. As the famine subsided the next year, the organisation turned more political and became Mizo National Front (MNF). In November 1961, it officially became a political party with Laldenga as its president. [1] The main goal was then to struggle for creating Greater Mizoram so as to encompass all the Mizo tribes in a single political governance. It led to political insurgency and social unrest lasting for two decades. [6]

Uprising and insurgency

The MNF created its armed wing, the Mizo National Army. It declared independence from India on 1 March 1966 under the Operation Jericho. [3] Guerilla war broke out immediately in major towns. The first major action was an attack on the Telephone Exchange and ransack of Government Treasury in Aizawl. [7] Government offices and stations were attacked and destroyed. The Government of Assam declared Lushai Hills District as a "disturbed area" the next day, and the central government banned MNF as a terror organisation under the Defence of India Rule. [8] The Indian Army was deployed in the region as a retaliation. The army was authorised with "Operation Security" by which soldiers rounded up suspicious civilians. Civil liberties were completely suppressed in the region. Starting from 5 March, Aizawl was attacked with strategic bombing and became uninhabitable. The Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) was enforced in 1967. An administrative called "grouping" was declared under rules such as Protected and Progressive Villages, New Grouping Centres, Voluntary Grouping Centres and Extended Loop Areas. With military force small villages were evacuated and regrouped into larger clusters. [8] The guerillas were outmatched and outnumbered and were forced to flee in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) and adjoining Burma. MNF then became a lingering underground movement. [9]

Negotiation for peace

As the civilians were the ones to suffer the most, local social organisations and church leaders were compelled to make negotiations. As a Christianised society the Mizo people had only the church as the peacemaker. The authorities of Presbyterian and Baptist churches jointly created a Peace Committee to negotiate between the rebels and the government. [10] Zairema, a Presbyterian minister, was the dominant force in the initial negotiations starting from 1968. [11] The first major communication between MNF and the government was in 1974 when Laldenga (from London as a political refugee) submitted his terms to Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. But to no avail. [3] By 1982, the prospects of agreement were grim. The Governor of Mizoram Sourendra Nath Kohli sought for the effort from church leaders. On 15 June 1982, representatives of different church denominations met at the Synod Conference Hall in Aizawl. "Zoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (ZKHC)" (Mizoram Churches Leaders' Committee) was formed on 30 July. They started fresh negotiations from the perspectives of the civilians who were oppressed by the military administration. V. L. Rawna, Secretary of ZKHC, met Laldenga in London on 1 March 1983 and asked him to lay down arms. In May ZKHC convinced all political parties to make a joint memorandum for peace. Signed by all party presidents, the memorandum stated:

On this thirty first day of May, of the year Nineteen hundred and eighty three, We, the undersigned, representing all political parties in Mizoram, do hereby declare our united stand in urging the Government of India and the Mizo National Front to enter into fresh negotiations and dialogue in order to arrive at a peaceful settlement of political deadlock in Mizoram. We affirm that all sections of people living in the Union Territory are in full accord with this plea, and we further declare our unanimous assurance of readiness to render any possible help towards creating a conducive atmosphere for peace talk to resume. [12]

With this resolution, they met Rajiv Gandhi, the All India Congress Committee General Secretary, who visited Aizawl on 7 March 1984, and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who visited Aizawl on 16 April. In October 1984, Ladenga returned to India but the assassination of Gandhi on 31 October hampered any further development. It was the day scheduled for the peace talk. [3] After several communications, MNF agreed to the conditions laid down by the Government of India in 1986. [13]

The peace accord

As Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister, he focused on national harmony and immediately prepared agreement documents for MNF. The then Home Secretary G. Parthasarathy was of little help as Laldenga objected to the terms. This was because Gandhi and his government could not accept Ladenga's demands such as:

  1. All MNF members should be freed from criminal charges.
  2. No Act of Indian Parliament would be legalised in Mizoram unless the state government approves it.
  3. Mizoram should be a separate state and be given a university and high court. [14]

Gandhi then appointed R.D. Pradhan for negotiation starting from September 1985. After a series of agreement failures, Pradhan invited Laldenga for a casual cup of tea at his office in New Delhi on 27 June. It was Pradhan's birthday on 27 June 1986. As Pradhan was due to retire in three days, he confided to Laldenga that if he really wanted peace, he should concede to the terms of the government immediately, as his successors in the office are unlikely to offer better terms. After two days of silence, Laldenga entered Pradhan's office alone in the afternoon of 30 June to agree to the peace terms. But then Pradhan was leaving his office and told Ladenga that it was no longer his authority to initiate the function. As Laldenga pleaded, Pradhan agreed to meet him at 4:30 p.m. after his farewell party. At the appointed time, they drove to 7 Race Course Road, where Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi arranged for emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. Gandhi extended the service period of Pradhan up to that midnight. The Mizoram Accord, 1986: Memorandum of Settlement was settled at 8:30 p.m. In the presence of Laldenga's wife, MNF officials, and Lal Thanhawla, the then Chief Minister of Mizoram, the accord was signed and publicly broadcast at 9:30 p.m. It was signed by Laldenga on behalf of MNF, R.D. Pradhan, Home Secretary, on behalf of the Government of India, and Lalkhama, Chief Secretary, on behalf of the Government of Mizoram. The two principal demands of the government were that MNF would cease any violent activities and adhere to rules of the Indian government. [15]

Important terms and conditions

The statement of the accord entailed the following terms and conditions: [2]

  • The government should take action to make Mizoram, which was then a Union Territory, to a full-fledged state.
  • The territory of Mizoram should be specified according to the territory specified in Section 6 of the North Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.
  • After normalcy is established, the President of India should hold election for the Mizoram Legislative Assembly.
  • Assistance should be given to the state government according the case of "Special Category State".
  • Border trade would be legalised upon agreement with neighbouring countries (namely Bangladesh and Myanmar).
  • The Innerline Regulation (which restricted unauthorised visit or stay in Mizoram) should remain in force.

Other provisions

  • The new state would be able to adopt one or more of the local dialects as its official language.
  • Establishment of a new university in the state.
  • Separate high court for the state (if the state wishes).
  • Government will make amelioration such as compensation to places occupied by the military and to families of people killed in the 1966 uprising.

Outcome

MNF surrendered all their arms, ammunition and equipment to the government. With it MNF gave up its struggle for independence and Greater Mizoram. [3] In celebration, the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia made a three-day good-will tour to Mizoram in July 1986. The ruling political party in Mizoram, Indian National Congress, surrendered their legislative term. As a recognised political party MNF became the ruling legislative party, with Laldenga as the first Chief Minister of the state. In the next general election, MNF won and Laldenga continued as the Chief Minister. [16]

The Government of India officially approved statehood to Mizoram on 7 August 1986. [17] Mizoram became the 23rd state of the Indian Union on 20 February 1987. [18]

A high court (Gauhati High Court Aizawl Bench) was established on 5 July 1990. [19]

As part of the deal, the Mizoram University was established after a decade and half of the accord by an Act of Parliament on 25 April 2000. The university was formally inaugurated on 1 July 2001. [20] It now administers all colleges and professional institutes in Mizoram.

30 June became the official public holiday "Remna Ni" (literally "peace day") of the Government of Mizoram. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizoram</span> State in northeastern India

Mizoram is a landlocked state in northeast India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and largest city. Within India's northeast region, it is the southernmost state, sharing borders with three of the Seven Sister States, namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur, and also shares a 722-kilometre (449 mi) border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The state spans over an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometres, of which approximately 91% is forested. With an estimated population of 1.25 million in 2023, it is the second least populous state in the country.

Mizo Union was the first political party in Mizoram, northeast India. It was founded on 6 April 1946 at Aizawl as the Mizo Common People's Union. At the time of independence of India from the british rule in india in 1947, the party was the only political force in the Lushai Hills. It won the first Mizoram District Council general election under the new Indian Union in 1951, and consecutively in 1957, 1962 and 1966.

The Mizo National Front is a regional political party in Mizoram, India. MNF emerged from the Mizo National Famine Front, which was formed by Pu Laldenga to protest against the inaction of the Government of India towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of the Assam state in 1959. It staged a major uprising in 1966, followed by years of underground activities. In 1986, it signed the Mizoram Accord with the Government of India, renouncing secession and violence. The MNF then began contesting elections and has formed state government in Mizoram three times. It is currently the state's opposition party, with its president, Zoramthanga, as the Former Chief Minister of Mizoram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Mizoram</span>

The history of Mizoram encompasses the history of Mizoram which lies in the southernmost part of northeast India. It is a conglomerate history of several ethnic groups of Chin people who migrated from Chin State of Burma. But information of their patterns of westward migration are based on oral history and archaeological inferences, hence nothing definite can be said. The recorded history started relatively recently around the mid-19th century when the adjoining regions were occupied by the British monarchy. Following religious, political and cultural revolutions in the mid-20th century majority of the people agglomerated into a super tribe, Mizo. Hence the officially recognised settlement of the Mizos became Mizoram.

Champhai is the third largest town in Mizoram, northeast India and is one of the oldest settlements founded by the Mizo people, that initially served as a capital for the Hmar dynasty. Located near the India–Myanmar border facilitates cross-border trade, it serves as a hub for trade and commerce in the region.

Laldenga was a Mizo separatist and politician from Mizoram in northeast India. He was the founder of the Mizo National Front, a social organisation turned political party. He was the first Chief Minister of Mizoram as a federated state, the office of which he held from 1986 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam Accord</span> 1985 agreement between the Indian government and the Assam Movement

The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between representatives of the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement. It was signed in the presence of the then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi on 15 August 1985. Later, the Citizenship Act was amended for the first time the following year, in 1986. It followed a six-year agitation that started in 1979. Led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), the protestors demanded the identification and deportation of all illegal foreigners – predominantly Bangladeshi immigrants. They feared that past and continuing large scale migration was overwhelming the native population, impacting their political rights, culture, language and land rights. The Assam Movement caused the estimated death of over 855 people. The movement ended with the signing of the Assam Accord.

Pachhunga University College (PUC) is a public institute in Aizawl, Mizoram, and the only constituent college of Mizoram University, a central university established by an Act of Parliament of India. Founded in 1958 as Aijal College, it is the oldest and largest college in Mizoram, by enrolment and campus size. It started with intermediate of arts courses, and later expanded to bachelor's degrees in arts, commerce and science. With the opening of master's degree courses in Mizo, philosophy and life sciences, it became the first postgraduate college in Mizoram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. D. Pradhan</span> Indian civil servant (1928–2020)

Ram D. Pradhan was an Indian Administrative Service officer, from the 1952 batch who served as Union Home Secretary and Governor of Arunachal Pradesh during the Rajiv Gandhi government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiteswar Saikia</span> 10th Chief Minister of Assam

Hiteswar Saikia was an Indian politician who served as the 10th chief minister of Assam for two terms, firstly from 28 February 1983 to 23 December 1985 and then from 30 June 1991 to 22 April 1996. He was the 1st Governor of Mizoram from 1987 to 1989 and the 6th Lieutenant Governor of Mizoram from 1986 to 1987. He was the education minister in the Government of Assam from and from 1980 to 1981 and again from 1982 to 1982. He was the Minister of State for Home, Education And public relations from 1972 to 1974 and the minister of Home from 1974 to 1978. He represented the Nazira constituency in the Assam Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lalduhoma</span> 6th Chief Minister of Mizoram, India

Lalduhoma is an Indian politician who serves as the 6th Chief Minister of Mizoram since 8 December 2023. Formerly an Indian Police Service officer, he sesigned from the security service to the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and was elected as Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from Mizoram and President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee in 1984. He however left the party from which he was elected two years later, for which he was disqualified from the Parliament. He became the first MP in India to be discharged based upon its anti-defection law.

Brigadier Ṭhenphunga Sailo, AVSM (1922–2015) was an Indian military officer and politician from the Indian state of Mizoram in northeast India. He was the second Chief Minister of Mizoram and the founder of Mizoram People's Conference, one of the major political parties in Mizoram. He was a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Padma Shri for his humanitarian works during his military service, and Mizo Award for his lifetime achievements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lal Thanhawla</span> Indian politician

Pu Lal Thanhawla is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Mizoram, belonging to the Indian National Congress party. He holds the record for longest-serving Chief Minister of Mizoram, occupying the position for five terms: 1984 to 1986, 1989 to 1993, 1993 to 1998, 2008 to 2013, and 2013 to 2018. He served as President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee from 1973 to 2021. His electoral constituencies were Serchhip and Hrangturzo from where he successfully contested the Mizoram Legislative Assembly elections nine times, in 1978, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2008, and 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizo National Front uprising</span> 1966 uprising in Mizoram, India

The Mizo National Front uprising was a revolt against the government of India aimed at establishing a sovereign nation state for the Mizo people, which started on 28 February 1966. On 1 March 1966, the Mizo National Front (MNF) made a declaration of independence, after launching coordinated attacks on the Government offices and security forces post in different parts of the Mizo district in Assam. The government retaliated and recaptured all the places seized by the MNF by 25 March 1966.

Secession in India typically refers to state secession, which is the withdrawal of one or more states from the Republic of India. Whereas, some have wanted a separate state, union territory or an autonomous administrative division within India. Many separatist movements exist with thousands of members, however, some have low local support and high voter participation in democratic elections. However, at the same time, demanding separate statehood within under the administration of Indian union from an existing state can lead to criminal charges under secession law in India. India is described as an ‘Union of States’ in Article 1 of the Indian constitution I.e "Indestructible nation of destructible states" by its father of constitution Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar where a state or Union territory of India cannot secede from India by any means and the Central Government has more powers than the respective state governments and can forcefully change the names and boundaries of the states without their permission at any time when needed for self interest and for the maintenance of integrity.

Rajiv Gandhi Stadium is an athletic stadium in Mualpui, Salem Veng, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. It is used mainly for football and athletics. This stadium is named after Rajiv Gandhi, 6th Prime Minister of India and currently it is the home stadium of I-League side Aizawl FC. The stadium is also used by clubs of the Mizoram Premier League.

Zairema was a Presbyterian minister, and a pioneer in theology and literature among the Mizo people of northeast India. He was the first Mizo to obtain the degrees of BSc and BD. He died of cardiac problem on the morning of 17 December 2008 at his residence in Aizawl at the age of 91. He is best remembered as the "father of Mizoram Synod".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoramthanga</span> 5th Chief Minister of Mizoram

Zoramthanga is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Mizoram from 1998 to 2008 and 2018 to 2023. He is also the president of Mizo National Front (MNF) party. He represents the Aizawl East I constituency in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly since 2018 and Champhai constituency from 1998 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aizawl</span> Capital city of Indian state of Mizoram

Aizawl, formerly known as Aijal, is the capital city and the most populous city of Mizoram, India. It is also the third largest city in northeast India, after Guwahati and Agartala. It is situated atop a series of ridges, with an average elevation of around 1,132 metres above sea level. In 2024, the city has an estimated population of 405,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Territory of Mizoram</span> Former union territory of India (1972–1987)

The Union Territory of Mizoram, spanning from 1972 to 1987, was formed as a response to the Mizo people's demand for greater autonomy. During this time period, reforms in administration and preservation of Mizo culture started.

References

  1. 1 2 Goswami, Namrata (2009). "The Indian Experience of Conflict Resolution in Mizoram". Strategic Analysis. 33 (4): 579–589. doi:10.1080/09700160902907118. S2CID   154851791.
  2. 1 2 "Mizoram Accord, 1986" (PDF). United Nations Peacemaker. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Sharma, S.K. (2016). "Lessons from Mizoram Insurgency and Peace Accord 1986" (PDF). www.vifindia.org. Vivekananda International Foundation. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  4. ↑ Bhattacherjee, S. (20 June 2011). "Accord most successful in the country, says Mizo CM 'Sundry factors ensured peace'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  5. ↑ Lewin TH Col. (2007) [1912]. A Fly on the Wheel: Or, How I Helped to Govern India. UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 2656–290.
  6. ↑ Aplin, K.; Lalsiamliana, J. (2010). "Chronicle and impact of the 2005-09 Mautam in Mizoram". In Singleton, G.; Belmain, S.; Brown, P.; Hardy, B. (eds.). Rodent outbreaks : ecology and impacts. Metro Manila, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute. pp. 22–23. ISBN   978-971-22-0257-5.
  7. ↑ Wangchuk, R.N. (2 July 2018). "Mizo Peace Accord: The Intriguing Story Behind India's Most Enduring Peace Initiative!". The Better India. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  8. 1 2 Nunthara, C. (1981). "Grouping of Villages in Mizoram: Its Social and Economic Impact". Economic and Political Weekly. 16 (30): 1237, 1239–1240. JSTOR   4370043.
  9. ↑ Lawbei, E. (2017). "Communication Strategies adopted for Peace Negotiation during Insurgency in Mizoram". International Journal of Current Humanities and Social Science Researches. 1 (4): 33–38.
  10. ↑ Pudaite, L.T. (2008). "Negotiating with insurgency and holding on to peace: The Mizoram Experience". In Patnaik, J.K. (ed.). Mizoram, Dimensions and Perspectives: Society, Economy, and Polity. New Delhi, India: Concept Publishing Company. pp. 23–44. ISBN   978-81-8069-514-8.
  11. ↑ William Sing, N. (26 August 2014). "The fall of kohhran swarkar in Mizoram". Himal Southasian. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  12. ↑ Chhetri, P. (23 August 2011). "The Chruch [sic] Role in the Mizoram Peace Accord". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  13. ↑ Dewen, L.J.M. (2009). "The Mizo People: Problems and Future". South Asian Studies Quarterly. 4: 5. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  14. ↑ Memo Sigh, L. (25 June 2014). "The Mizo Accord". Imphal Free Press. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  15. ↑ Singh, S (30 June 2016). "In fact: Happy Birthday peace: The Mizo Accord turns 30". The Indian Express. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  16. ↑ "Mizoram Assembly Election Results 1987". www.elections.in. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Hazarika, S. (30 September 2016). "'There is Peace in Mizoram Because of Its Brutal Past'". The Wire. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Mizoram celebrates 32nd anniversary of Peace Accord". The Morung Express. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ Meitei, S.N. (2008). "High court in Mizoram: The structure and function of Aizawl Bench". In Patnaik, J.K. (ed.). Mizoram, Dimensions and Perspectives: Society, Economy, and Polity. New Delhi, India: Concept Publishing Company. pp. 435–445. ISBN   978-81-8069-514-8.
  20. ↑ Jacob, M. (22 August 2013). "Brave New phase of Mizoram". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.