Zoramthanga hails Mizoram peace accord as India's 'most successful'

Aizawl, Jun 30 (PTI) Mizo National Front (MNF) president and former chief minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday hailed the 1986 Mizoram peace accord as India's "most successful" peace agreement, saying its significance and value will become more evident in the future. The MNF celebrated the 40th anniversary of the signing of the peace accord, locally known as "Remna Ni" in different parts of the state. Addressing a function commemorating Remna Ni at Thingsultliah in Saitual district, Zoramthanga paid tribute to all those who contributed to the peace process, including the churches, civil society organisations, political parties and the people of Mizoram. "The peace accord we are commemorating today between the MNF and the Government of India has proven, over time, to be one of the most successful peace agreements. As time goes on, its significance and value will only become more evident," the former rebel leader turned politician said. Zoramthanga claimed that the Mizoram peace accord had become a model for conflict resolution and continued to attract interest from neighbouring regions seeking lasting peace. He urged the people of Mizoram to preserve and protect what he described as a time-tested and enduring peace agreement. Highlighting the importance of Article 371G of the Constitution of India, which was secured through the peace accord, the MNF president said the provision safeguards Mizoram's unique identity and special rights. "Article 371G was earned through the sacrifices, bloodshed, suffering and perseverance of countless Mizo patriots and the people of Mizoram. It serves as a constitutional safeguard protecting the Mizo people," the former chief minister said. He said that under Article 371G, no act of Parliament relating to matters specifically protected under the provision can be applied to Mizoram unless approved by the state assembly, thereby granting the state significant constitutional autonomy. The MNF chief, however, blamed the present Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government for allegedly failing to invoke Article 371G while accepting the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 (FCAA 2023). He claimed that the move effectively surrendered Mizoram's constitutional authority to the Centre. "The ZPM government's decision to accept the FCAA 2023 without exercising the protections available under Article 371G amounts to surrendering the authority of the Mizos in Mizoram to the Central government. It is detrimental to Mizoram, the Mizo people, and future generations," he said. Zoramthanga also alleged that the present government had compromised constitutional protections won through the sacrifices of Mizo freedom fighters. He asserted that the MNF would restore those safeguards if voted back to power, saying Mizoram required a government committed to defending Article 371G. PTI CORR RG