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Economic Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Mizoram decides to collect biometrics, biographic data of Myanmar refugees
Synopsis Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the Mizoram government will begin collecting biometric and biographic data of approximately 35,000 Myanmar refugees in all 11 districts, mirroring a similar exercise in Manipur. The initiative, funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to identify and document these "illegal migrants. AP The former Mizo National Front government in Mizoram was reluctant to collect the biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar refugees. Guwahati: The Mizoram government has decided to collect biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar refugees taking shelter in the northeastern state after a military coup in the neighboring country in February 2021. Earlier, Manipur had carried out this exercise. A Mizoram Home Department official, who did not want to be named, told ET, 'Towards the end of July, the work of collecting biometric and demographic data of around 35,000 Myanmar refugees would start. The biometric exercise would be conducted using the Foreigner Identification Portal and would be carried out in all 11 districts of the state." He added, 'Around Rs 38 lakh was earmarked for the exercise, and the expenditure would be borne by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Training of the government staff to conduct the exercise has almost been completed in all the districts." The MHA had earlier asked both the Manipur and Mizoram governments to capture biographic and biometric details of "illegal migrants" in the two states and complete the process at the earliest. Both northeastern states had earlier agreed to undertake the collection of biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar nationals. The former Mizo National Front government in Mizoram was reluctant to collect the biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar refugees. The incumbent Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, had earlier agreed to conduct the exercise. After a military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, refugees, including women and children from the neighboring country, started coming to Mizoram and Manipur seeking shelter in the two Indian states, and now their numbers in Mizoram have increased to around 35,000. According to Home Department officials, the maximum number of Myanmar refugees are currently taking shelter in Champhai district. Myanmar's Chin state shares mountainous borders with six Mizoram districts—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip. Recently, a fresh batch of refugees has started coming since July battles have erupted between the Chin National Defence Force and the Chinland Defence Force-Hualngoram over control of Chin state in Myanmar. A senior official, who does not want to be named, said that around 3,000 to 4,000 refugees had come since the fighting started on July 2.'They are being provided with food, water, and shelter.' Refugees are coming to Zokhawthar and Saikhumphai Village, bordering Myanmar in Champhai district.
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.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MNF pays tribute to Laldenga on his 35th death anniversary
1 2 3 4 Aizawl: Mizo National Front (MNF) on Monday paid respects to former Mizoram chief minister and underground leader Laldenga on his 35th death anniversary by paying floral tributes at his burial place in Aizawl's Treasury Square. Former CM and MNF president Zoramthanga and Dr Renee Lalrinzuali led the laying of wreaths at the memorial stone of Laldenga, where he is buried, along with other party leaders. Speaking at the event held at the burial place, Zoramthanga said Laldenga was instrumental in exposing Mizos not only to India but to the entire globe. "He sowed the seeds of Mizo nationalism in the minds of the Mizo people during his time, which continues to grow even among the future generations," he added. Lalrinzuali, speaking on behalf of Laldenga's family, said she knows her father loved Mizoram and the Mizos by devoting his whole life to the interests of the people rather than dedicating it to the family.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mizoram: Rich tributes paid to MNF founder Laldenga on his death anniversary
Aizawl, Rich tributes were paid to Mizo National Front founder Laldenga on his 35th death anniversary on Monday. Mizoram: Rich tributes paid to MNF founder Laldenga on his death anniversary Laldenga's daughter Dr Renee Lalrinzuali, MNF president Zoramthanga and other party leaders paid homage to the former Mizoram chief minister and laid wreaths on his grave at Aizawl's Treasury Square located near the state assembly. Speaking at a function marking Laldenga's death anniversary, Zoramthanga hailed him as one of the important foundations of the Mizo society. He said Laldenga brought glory to the Mizos. "He instilled patriotism and the feeling of Mizo sub-nationalism not only among contemporary Mizos but also the new generations. Although some people try to downgrade him, his importance has been increasingly felt among present-day Mizos," Zoramthanga said. Laldenga's name and legacy will live on, and he will be remembered as long as Mizos and Mizoram exist, he added. Renee, who spoke on the occasion, said her father wholeheartedly loved Mizoram and its people. She said that her father gave more importance to Mizoram and the Mizo people than to his family. "My father put Mizoram and the Mizo people in the first place. He was ready to sacrifice his family for the cause of the Mizos. We wholeheartedly obeyed him and in due course of time, overcame many challenges," she said. Renee also thanked MNF leaders and party workers who paid their tributes to her father on his death anniversary. Born on July 11, 1927 at Pukpui village in Lunglei district, Laldenga joined the British Indian Army in 1944. He formed the Mizo National Famine Front in 1960 when Mizoram was reeling under a famine. He converted the MNFF into a political organisation the Mizo National Front in October, 1961. Mizoram witnessed a 20-year-long insurgency from 1966, which ended with the signing of a peace accord on June 30, 1986. Mizoram became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987. Laldenga became the first chief minister of Mizoram but 19 months after the MNF won the 1987 assembly polls, President's rule was imposed in the state. He never rose to the political arena again due to lung cancer. After he received medical treatment in New Delhi and New York, he headed for London. Just after landing at London airport, he died on the way to the hospital on July 7, 1990 and his mortal remains were brought to Aizawl on July 11. He was honoured with a state funeral on July 13 and buried at the heart of Aizawl. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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.
