ZODIN SANGA
AIZAWL, Sept 8: It has been 31 years after the signing of the Mizo Accord between the Centre and the then outlawed Mizo National Front (MNF) to bring a permanent peace in Mizoram. However, at least four promises made in the historic accord are yet to be fulfilled. The disenchanted former cadres of Mizo National Army, armed wing of the MNF, now see a ray a hope as the Union Home Ministry has assured to settle the issue. MNF president Zoramthanga said he and representatives of the ex-MNA cadres met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on Thursday, requesting him to take steps to resolve the unfulfilled promises in the Mizo Accord of 1986.
According to Zoramthanga, there are four promises made by the Centre in the Mizo Accord that have remained unfulfilled till today. They are – a separate High Court for Mizoram, withdrawal of criminal cases against three ex-MNA cadres, compensation to two women raped by the Indian Army, and payment of rent to the owners of land occupied by the Indian Army during the 20-year-long insurgency. “Kiren Rijiju promptly acted to our request and assured all possible help from his side. Ex-MNA vice president C Zama, who accompanied Zoramthanga in New Delhi, said, “Even today some promises made by the Centre in 1986 are yet to be fulfilled. Three of our former colleagues are still having criminal cases, while the desire of the people of Mizoram to have their own High Court seems to be a distant dream. Similarly, the demand for compensation to two women who were raped by Army personnel in 1966 is yet to be fulfilled.”
“The Union Government had promised that no member of the MNF coming overground would be prosecuted for offences committed during the period of underground activities. There are at least three former MNA members who face criminal cases. One of them, Lalzarliana, has become mentally sick due to the constant burden of Court cases and fear of police arrest,” C Zama, said. The two women who suffered torture and mass rape by the Indian Army personnel on November 30, 1966, too are yet to be fully compensated.
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