Union Territory of Mizoram

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Union Territory of Mizoram
Mizoram [1]
Union Territory of India
1972–1987
IN-MZ.svg
Capital Aizawl
Population 
 1981
493,757 [2]
Government
Chief Minister  
 1972–1977
C. Chhunga
 1978
T. Sailo
 1979–1984
T. Sailo
 1984–1986
Lal Thanhawla
Historical era Cold War
 Union Territory established
19 January 1972
30 June 1986
 Statehood
20 February 1987
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Blank.png Mizo District
State of Mizoram Blank.png
Today part of Mizoram

The Union Territory of Mizoram, spanning from 1972 to 1987, was formed as a response to the Mizo people's demand for greater autonomy. [3] During this time period, reforms in administration and preservation of Mizo culture started.

Contents

Background

The Mizo National Front (MNF), formed in 1961, sought to address the perceived neglect and exploitation of the Mizo people by the central government. The insurgency led to unrest, conflicts, and demands for political autonomy. The formation of the Union Territory was part of a broader effort to recognize and respect the unique cultural and historical identity of the Mizo people.

Events

Chapchar Kut , a traditional Mizo festival (also named by some as Mizo New Year [4] ), was officially revived in the mid-1970s during Mizoram's Union Territory phase. [5] The festival had been discontinued during the period of Christian missionary influence and British colonial rule.

There were three districts in Mizoram: Aizawl, Chhimtuipui (present-day Siaha and Lawngtlai districts), and Lunglei.

One of the most significant administrative achievements during this period was the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. This accord brought an end to years of insurgency, contributing to political stability and laying the foundation for further development and governance reforms.

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Hmar is a Kuki ethnic group living in Northeast Indian state of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and western Myanmar (Burma) and eastern Bangladesh. They use Meitei language as their second language (L2) in Manipur. They speak Mizo language as their L1 in Mizoram.

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.

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References

  1. "Mizo Chanchin, Bu II – A History of Lushai Hills, Part II [1947]", British Library, EAP454/13/12, https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP454-13-12
  2. "Census of India Website: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in.
  3. Lodrick, D. O. (2024, January 29). Mizoram. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Mizoram
  4. https://www.vanglaini.org/article/58565
  5. https://mizoram.nic.in/about/oriofchapcharkut.htm