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Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mizoram celebrates 39 yrs of peace accord
Aizawl: As Mizoram marked the 39th anniversary of the historic Mizo Peace Accord on Monday, Article 371G of the Constitution — seen as a pillar of the 1986 agreement — took centre stage in both political discourse and public displays. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At an event in Saitual, opposition (MNF) president and former chief minister Zoramthanga described Article 371G, introduced through the 53rd Constitutional Amendment, as one of the most significant gains of the accord. The provision protects Mizo customary law, land ownership, and religious practices from unilateral parliamentary legislation, unless approved by the Mizoram Assembly. Zoramthanga said the accord was not simply a bilateral agreement between the MNF and the Centre, but a tripartite understanding that included the people of Mizoram. He said then chief secretary Lalkhama signed the accord on behalf of the state, including those not involved in the armed struggle, while MNF leader Laldenga represented the underground movement. "It was not an accord of the weak. Both sides were at their strongest. The moment of peace came when God — the 'Wonderful Counsellor' — deemed it ripe," he said, referencing the "Book of Isaiah". He warned that the protections granted under Article 371G must not be taken for granted. "While Nagaland received similar safeguards in 1962, ours was earned through struggle. If anyone tries to take it away, we will demand back our arms and the blood with which we earned it," he added. In Aizawl, the Mizo National Youth Front (MNYF) marked the anniversary by unveiling a hoarding spotlighting Article 371G in front of the Mizo Hnam Run (MNF party office). The hoarding was inaugurated by Lalkhama, one of the three signatories of the Peace Accord. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at the occasion, Lalkhama paid tribute to the MNF cadres and martyrs, saying their sacrifices laid the foundation for peace and constitutional safeguards. "They are the real heroes. The protections under Article 371G must be made more widely known," he said, commending MNYF for its initiative. MNYF president Robert Romawia Royte also addressed the gathering, noting that the peace accord directly led to the 53rd Constitutional Amendment. "This gives the Mizoram assembly the power to accept or reject any central law relating to our religion, customs, or land. Only Mizoram and Nagaland enjoy this privilege," he said.
The Wire
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
On 39th Anniversary of Mizo Peace Accords, MNF Erects Hoarding of Article 371G in Aizawl
New Delhi: Various sections of Article 371 of the Constitution are meant for exclusive provisions granted to the eight north-eastern states. One such provisions, Article 371 (G), had marked the birth of India's 23rd state – Mizoram. Through the 53rd amendment to the Constitution, that Article was a promise by Indian Parliament to the people of the border state of Mizoram to protect their customary laws, religious and social practices, land ownership, etc, as consigned in the Mizo Accord, signed between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Rajiv Gandhi government on June 30, 1986. This June 30, marking its 39th anniversary, the youth wing of MNF, installed a hoarding of Article 371G of the Constitution in front of the party's office in Aizawl. That peace accord had brought the curtains down on two decades of insurgency in what was then called the Lushai hills. The Accord had facilitated the birth of Mizoram on February 20, 1987 with MNF founder and respected Mizo leader the late Pu Laldenga as its first chief minister. Besides Laldenga, the other two signatories to that Accord were the then Home Secretary R. D. Pradhan and the then Mizoram chief secretary Lalkhama. This June 30, Lalkhama, the only surviving signatory to that peace Accord with Centre, unveiled the hoarding in the presence of many including MNF youth wing president and legislator Robert R Royte. Speaking on the occasion, Royte recalled the sacrifices made by the MNF cadres and their leaders to get that peace agreement with New Delhi. According to the Mizoram Post, Royte also stated that the Constitutional provision ensures that 'the Mizoram assembly has the constitutional power to accept or reject the Acts passed by Parliament in matters concerning Mizo religion, customary law and land as per Article 371G.' 'Only Mizoram and Nagaland assemblies have such powers,' he added. 'Mizo peace accord was not with MNF but between India and the Mizoram' Later, addressing a public meeting on the occasion at Saitual, Zoramthanga, former chief minister and top MNF leader and a former associate of Laldenga, said, 'Some vested interests may devalue the Mizo peace accord as only the accord between India and the MNF. However, it was an accord between Mizoram and India. It was signed by Laldenga on behalf of the MNF and Lalkhama (former chief secretary) on behalf of the Mizo people, who did not go underground.' He also said, 'Unlike Nagaland, which was given special protection (Article 371A) on compassionate ground, and can easily be abrogated (by Parliament), Article 371 (G) or special protection was brought about by the Mizos, and it therefore, can't be easily abrogated.' After the Narendra Modi government read down the Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, there has been apprehensions in several northeastern states including Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Peace accord entirely represents Mizoram: Zoramthanga
Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga on Monday (June 30, 2025) asserted that the Mizo peace accord signed between the Centre and erstwhile underground MNF in 1986 was not only an accord between the MNF and the Union government but it represents the entire Mizo people. The 39th anniversary of the Mizo peace accord was celebrated by the MNF across the State on Monday. However, there were no official functions to mark the peace accord day. "Some vested interests say and devalue the Mizo peace accord as only the accord between the Centre and the MNF. It was signed by Laldenga on behalf of the MNF and Lalkhama (former State Chief Secretary) on behalf of the Mizo people, who did not go underground," Mr. Zoramthanga said while addressing the celebration of peace accord day in Saitual. The former rebel leader turned politician said that the Mizo peace accord was signed when both parties were in good and strong positions. "Had the accord been signed when we were organisationally weak, we would have been too submissive. The accord, however, was signed when we were economically and organisationally strong," he said. Mr. Zoramthanga said that Mizoram was elevated to full-fledged Statehood from being a Union Territory with a special provision under Article 371 G after the signing of the historic Mizo accord. He said that article 371 G provides special provision to Mizoram as no act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of the Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law, ownership and transfer of land, can be applied to Mizoram unless the State Legislative Assembly decide by resolution. The Youth wing of the MNF erected a hoarding of Article 371G at a roadside in front of Mizo Hnam Run or the MNF office here. The hoarding was unveiled by Mr. Lalkhama, the former Chief Secretary who signed the historic accord in 1986. Mr. Lalkhama said that the sacrifices and sufferings of the MNF cadres and martyrs deserve public respect and they are the real heroes because of whom the peace accord and its outcomes could become a reality. He said that the protection given to the people of Mizoram under Art 371 G needs to be made known to more people. MNF Legislator Robert Romawia Royte said that the peace accord mandated the Parliament to enact the 53rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1986 which in turn incorporated the provisions and safeguards for the Mizos under Art 371G. The Mizoram peace accord was signed between the Centre and the erstwhile underground MNF on June 30, 1986, ending two decades of insurgency, after which Mizoram became the 23rd Indian state on February 20, 1987.
The Print
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Peace accord entirely represents Mizoram: Zoramthanga
However, there were no official functions to mark the peace accord day. The 39th anniversary of the Mizo peace accord was celebrated by the MNF across the state on Monday. Aizawl, Jun 30 (PTI) Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga on Monday asserted that the Mizo peace accord signed between the Centre and erstwhile underground MNF in 1986 was not only an accord between the MNF and the Union government but it represents the entire Mizo people. 'Some vested interests say and devalue the Mizo peace accord as only the accord between the Centre and the MNF. It was signed by Laldenga on behalf of the MNF and Lalkhama (former state chief secretary) on behalf of the Mizo people, who did not go underground,' Zoramthanga said while addressing the celebration of peace accord day in Saitual. The former rebel leader turned politician said that the Mizo peace accord was signed when both parties were in good and strong positions. 'Had the accord been signed when we were organisationally weak, we would have been too submissive. The accord, however, was signed when we were economically and organisationally strong,' he said. Zoramthanga said that Mizoram was elevated to full-fledged statehood from being a Union Territory with a special provision under Article 371 G after the signing of the historic Mizo accord. He said that article 371 G provides special provision to Mizoram as no act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of the Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law, ownership and transfer of land, can be applied to Mizoram unless the state legislative assembly decide by resolution. The Youth wing of the MNF erected a hoarding of Article 371G at a roadside in front of Mizo Hnam Run or the MNF office here. The hoarding was unveiled by Lalkhama, the former chief secretary who signed the historic accord in 1986. Lalkhama said that the sacrifices and sufferings of the MNF cadres and martyrs deserve public respect and they are the real heroes because of whom the peace accord and its outcomes could become a reality. He said that the protection given to the people of Mizoram under Art 371 G needs to be made known to more people. MNF legislator Robert Romawia Royte said that the peace accord mandated the Parliament to enact the 53rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1986 which in turn incorporated the provisions and safeguards for the Mizos under Art 371G. The Mizoram peace accord was signed between the Centre and the erstwhile underground MNF on June 30, 1986, ending two decades of insurgency, after which Mizoram became the 23rd Indian state on February 20, 1987. PTI COR RG NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
