Northeast Desk, 29th June: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma recounted his pivotal role in brokering peace between the Centre and the then-underground Mizo National Front (MNF) during celebrations marking the anniversary of the historic peace accord known as ‘Remna Ni’.
Lalduhoma revealed that he resigned from the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1984 at the urging of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and ex-MNF president Laldenga to facilitate peace negotiations in Mizoram. He traveled to London to meet Laldenga after resigning, spending five days discussing the MNF’s demands with him.
Speaking at the ‘Remna Ni’ celebrations organized by Mizoram’s apex students’ body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Lalduhoma expressed gratitude to MZP and various leaders and organizations involved in achieving the peace accord. He particularly thanked former legislators and chief secretary Lalkhama, the signatory of the peace accord.
Lalduhoma emphasized the importance of unity among the Zo people worldwide, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by Zo communities in Manipur, Myanmar, and Bangladesh as opportunities for solidarity.
Since 2018, ‘Remna Ni’ celebrations have honored individuals and groups pivotal to the peace accord. This year, four former legislators were felicitated for their role in advancing peace talks by resigning in 1981.
The Mizoram peace accord, signed on June 30, 1986, marked the end of two decades of insurgency led by the MNF, originally founded to protest against neglect of Mizo areas during a famine in the late 1950s. The accord transformed the MNF into a political party, which has since governed Mizoram in multiple terms and currently serves as the main opposition party in the state.
Mizoram attained statehood on February 20, 1987, following its earlier status as a Union Territory carved out of Assam in 1972 in response to Mizo demands for self-governance.
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