Latest news with #MizoAccord
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Zoramthanga celebrates 81st b'day, guv VK Singh wishes good health
Aizawl: Former Mizoram CM and president of Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoramthanga , on Sunday celebrated his 81st birthday. The veteran politician received warm wishes from governor Gen VK Singh , who took to Instagram to offer his congratulations. "Congratulations and warmest wishes to Pu Zoramthanga on your special day. May you be blessed with excellent health, profound happiness, and many more years of continued wisdom and strength," Singh wrote. Zoramthanga was born on July 13, 1944, in the small village of Samthang in Champhai district, bordering Myanmar. His political journey began in 1966, when he joined the erstwhile underground MNF. He became a close confidante of MNF supremo Laldenga, rising to the position of second-in-command. Following the historic Mizo Accord signed on June 30, 1986, Zoramthanga led a contingent of MNF insurgents from their headquarters in the then Arakan state of Burma (now Myanmar) to Mizoram to lay down their arms. Zoramthanga was inducted as a minister during the six-month interim govt, where MNF shared power with Congress. Mizoram was elevated to a full-fledged state on Feb 20, 1987, and he continued as a minister, holding portfolios including finance and education. After a decade in political wilderness, MNF allied with the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), won the 1998 assembly elections, leading to Zoramthanga's first term as chief minister.
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.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mizoram celebrates 39th ‘Remna Ni' with message of peace & devpt
Aizawl: 'Remna Ni' or Peace Day, the 39th anniversary of inking the historic 'Mizo Accord' that ended 20-year-long disturbance in Mizoram, was celebrated across the state on Monday with the main event being held at 'Lammual' or the Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl. At the event organised by the general headquarters of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex Mizo student body, chief minister Lalduhoma hoisted the 'Remna Ni flag' followed by a solemn rendition of 'Ro Min Relsak Ang Che (Be Our Counsellor)' by the 1st Battalion Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) Brass Band. In his address, Lalduhoma extended heartfelt greetings to Zo people across the globe and underscored that peace is the bedrock of development, stability and progress, while unrest remains a major obstacle to all. "My govt shall leave no stone unturned to preserve and promote peace in our state," he said. Highlighting Mizoram's progress, the CM said the state is poised for major infrastructural development, particularly through improved connectivity between the southern and northern regions. He called for a collective commitment to peaceful coexistence, regardless of differences, and reminded the audience that Mizo nationalism is not rooted in hostility, but in unity and inclusive progress. True nationalism, he said, uplifts others and builds togetherness. The chief minister also stressed the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with the central govt — regardless of which party is in power — for the greater good and welfare of Mizoram. "Politics must be guided by mutual respect. Let us uphold dignity in public discourse and refrain from divisive or inflammatory rhetoric," he said. "Let peace and harmony prevail in our society and in our neighbourhoods. Let us rekindle the spirit of communal harmony handed down to us by our ancestors. Let our streets once again become places of peace," he added. In his remarks, MZP president Pu H Lalthianghlima emphasised that Remna Ni belongs to the people and is a celebration meant to unite citizens across political, social and generational lines.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre expediting Kaladan project due to B'desh threats: Zoramthanga
Aizawl: Mizoram former chief minister Zoramthanga said the Centre has given more importance to the ongoing Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) linking Mizoram with Paletwa in Myanmar 's southern Chin state in view of the narratives of the new Bangladesh his visit to Zorinpui, located at the Myanmar border and the road section of the KMMTTP, on Saturday and even as he entered Myanmar along the road, Zoramthanga said the connectivity provided by the project will be a blessing for the people of Mizoram. He also said the Centre has woken up to give top priority to the early completion of the Mizo National Front (MNF) president alleged that Bangladesh is now ruled by radical rulers. and the present regime said apart from the 20km-long Siliguri corridor, also known as 'chicken neck', India's northeastern states do not have any link with the rest of the country. Bangladesh leaders are saying if the 'chicken neck is cut off, the northeast region will not have any sea link and threatened that the region can be captured with the help of China, he said. "The threats from Bangladesh has compelled the Centre to become aware of the importance of the KMMTTP and the need to expedite its completion as a priority project. The central govt is now aware of the importance of the project for the northeast and other parts of India," the former chief minister added that MNF will become useful in completion of the project. Rakhine state, earlier known as Arakan, used to be a safe haven for the erstwhile underground MNF where they established their headquarters called the 'Capital Headquarters' before signing the Mizo Accord in 1986. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
