20-years of peace pays in Mizoram

Aizawl, June 30 (UNI) Twenty years down the line the Mizo Peace Accord Day still stands tall as the most durable symbol of peace and progress of the state.

The Centre and Mizo National Front (MNF) signed the accord on June 30, 1986.

The Remna Ni (Peace Accord Day) is a landmark occasion for the people of Mizoram as they feel it signalled renewal of hope for peace, progress and real development of the region.

The political disturbances started during the tribulation of the bamboo flowering (Mautam) famine which left a deep scar in the minds of some Mizos and was interlinked with a secessionist movement that was to follow.

A voluntary organisation Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF) took up arms on February 28, 1966 in a bid to achieve its goal to separate the state from India.

The Mizo hills were immediately declared a 'disturbed area' and security forces were inducted to maintain law and order.

The disturbances lasted for two decades during which the state had to weather many storms apart from lagging behind in the field of development.

For ex-insurgent leader and the present Chief Minister Zoramthanga, peace in his state had become exemplary for the insurgency-torn northeast region.

Talking to UNI on the peace accord day observance, Mr Zoramthanga said, ''we are very fortunate to enjoy one of the most enduring peace accords in the history of modern India.'' The Chief Minister recalled that Mizoram was one of the most disturbed places in the world when the erstwhile MNF armed insurgency was operative and said, ''people of the state were subjected to grouping the kind of which was never seen in other places''.

Mr Zoramthanga also pointed out ''we must acknowledge the effort and the sacrifice made by the church leaders and various NGOs for maintenance of peace'', and added ''we would like to show our neighbouring states that peace can be attained despite difficulties.'' ''The Centre is also trying its best to get peace in the region as it did in the case of Mizoram,'' he said.

Education Minister Dr Lalthingliana added after signing the peace accord, Mizoram has become the second most literate state in the country.

''We are marching to become the first literate state in the country within a couple of months,'' he underlined.

According to President B Sangkhumi, the president of the state apex women's body, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), during the twenty years of insurgency, it was the women who suffered the most, especially at the hands of the 'armed forces'.

The past 20 years of peace have been invaluable to all the people especially to the women across the state, she added.

Dr James Dokhuma, Padmashree, said ''we went through twenty years of insurgency and I myself had joined the underground movement. But the last 20 years of peace had led to development in the region.'' During the Remna Ni programme, which was held at Vanapa hall in the capital city, governor A R Kohli said the Mizoram has came a long way from darkness to light, from uncertainty and isolation into the political mainstream of the country.

''While we have peace in the state, there is no room for complacency. Incidence of violence and insurgency along the state borders have given rise to concern. We have to safeguard the peace and unity in the state at all cost,'' he added.

Members of the council of ministers, including Home Minister Tawnluia at Lunglei district, Agriculture minister Rammawi at Serchhip district, health minister Tlanghmingthanga at Mamit district participated in the celebrations of 20th anniversary of the peace accord.

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