Mizoram observes 28th Mizo Peace Accord anniversary

Newmai News Network AIZAWL, JUNE 30 [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Mizo Peace Accord Day (Remna Ni) was observed today by Mizo National Front (MNF) at party headquarter (Mizo Hnam Run) in Aizawl and across the state commemorating the 28th anniversary of signing of the Mizo Accord between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Government of India on June 30, 1986. MNF Vice President, Tawnluia at Mizo MNF Hnam Run on Monday paid rich tribute to MNF martyrs’ who sacrificed their ‘precious lives’ for the sake of Mizoram and its people. “We paid great tribute to Mizo soldiers for their sacrifice and dedication for the sake of Mizo people”, he added.Tawnluia, while delivering speech greeted the people of Mizoram and thanked the almighty God who led the Mizo people all the way to see the auspicious day of 28th anniversary of Peace Accord Day. The MNF Vice President also fondly remembered the founder president of the MNF, (L) Laldenga, and described him as a ‘true leader’ of Mizo nationalism (Mizo Hnam Pa). He said that Laldenga was instrumental in signing the historic Memorandum of Settlement with representatives of the Government of India and the Government of Mizoram 28 years back on June 30, 1986. “His name shall not fade away as long as Mizoram exist”, he added. “We also remember former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi who greatly contributed to the signing of Mizo accord”, Tawna said. Tawnluia then lamented that some spoke poorly of the Peace Accord. “The Peace Accord is not what the MNF wanted but because of the prayers of NGOs, student bodies, the churches and the people, the Accord was signed. We thanked all NGOs, student bodies, the churches and political parties for their enormous contribution”, he said. “The Mizo Peace Accord was for the benefit of all the Mizo people and we should therefore, shun vicious slander and accusation and continue to keep alive the environment of peace by injecting the quality of pure heart in ourselves”, stated Tawnluia. According to Tawnluia, the accord was signed at the request of the people. “ MNF declared independence for Mizoram but was opposed by India. As a result, war broke out between rebel MNF and Indian soldiers for 20 years. Subsequently, the accord was signed at the request of the people. MNF did not apparently surrender to India. We are to continue with upgrading Mizo nationalism”, Tawnluia said adding the accord was only a step to destination and we are going reach that. Tawnluia further said that as a result of Mizo Peace Accord, article 371 (G) of Indian Constitution was amended to give special protection to Mizo tribes. “While MNF is faithful to its Accord, the Government of India however, did not fulfill its promises of instituting a separate High Court and a building Border Trade even after 28 years from the signing of the accord. We strongly appealed the government of India to immediately implement the Accord”, Tawnluia urged. Speaking about frontier and border area, Tawnluia said at the time of negotiation the MNF struggle hard to incorporate within Mizoram all the Mizo inhabited areas in Assam, Tripura and Manipur. But as the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said the proposal may have great effect on the territorial integrity of Assam, Manipur and Tripura which could cause further delay or non-signing of the peace accord. The MNF delegates for a time keep aside the border issue as Prime Minister assured them it can be resolved later under Article 3 of Indian Constitution, Tawinluia said. The Mizoram Accord was signed between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Government of India on June 30, 1986. The signatories were Laldenga, leader of the movement, R. D. Pradhan, Union Home Secretary, and Lalkhama, Mizoram Chief Secretary. The MNF was a secessionist movement to protest against the negligence and indifference of the Government of India to the people of Mizoram at the time of a severe famine called Mautam, during the late 1950s. After a major uprising followed by years of struggle in underground activities, but to no avail, the movement conceded to work within the Indian Constitution and to renounce violence and turmoil that had prevailed throughout Mizoram.