Fifty-three years
after a movement was launched in
present-day Mizoram to seek
independence from India, Mizo
‘soldiers’ of a former militant outfit
were honoured at a government
programme here.
A total of 138 ‘soldiers’ of the
erstwhile Mizo National Army were
awarded for their valour at the event
held here recently. Sixty-one of them
were awarded posthumously.
Titled as ‘Meet the Heroes: Peace
Pays’, the event was organised to
“commemorate Mizo Hnam Sipai,
Mizo soldiers, who during the fight
for independence, journeyed to China
to undergo training and procure
weapons”.
The programme was organised by
the Tourism Department of the
Mizoram Government, led by the
Mizo National Front (MNF).
The development assumes
significance as the celebration by the
Mizoram Government was held in
partnership with the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs and North Eastern
Council (NEC) of the Ministry of
DoNER.
Speaking as the chief guest,
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said, “The Mizo National
Army, who were once considered
lawless elements by the country, is
now being honoured. Significantly,
this programme is being sponsored
by the Central Government. Their
names are no longer spoken in
hushed tones.”
The word ‘Peace
Pays’ was first highlighted during the
celebration of the
Republic Day in New
Delhi in 2000 on top of
the Mizoram State
tableau despite
opposition from the
Central Government of
that period, the Chief
Minister said.
“The contingents,
who went to China to
procure arms and get training, are
lucky to have been given an opportunity to fight for their land. The
delegates and contingents from China
have a wonderful song that no one
else can sing. It is a
song about their
journey, struggles and
achievements,” said
Zoramthanga, who
himself was a cadre of
the Mizo National
Army, and went to
China.
Describing the
importance of peace and
serenity for the social
and economic development of the State, he
urged the people of Mizoram to
treasure and protect the hard-earned
peace it currently enjoys.
Mizoram Tourism Minister Robert
Romawia Royte, under whose
initiative the programme was
organised, voiced his hope that this
‘Peace Pays Project’ not only honours
the heroes but also showcases the
investment potential of Mizoram.
“Mizoram has been enviously
peaceful since the signing of the Mizo
Peace Accord. That is very important
for our State’s development. We have
enormous tourism potential and
people are coming to our State now.
At the same time, we also need
investment,” Royte emphasised.
Song and drama performances, as
well as speeches from representatives of the delegates from China, also
marked the daylong programme.
Two books – The Valorous Walk
to China (Meet the Heroes: Peace
Pays) and Expedition to China –
were released by the Chief
Minister at the event.
The MNF’s secessionist movement started in 1966 and came to
an end in 1986 when it signed the
Mizo Peace Accord with the
Government of India and created a
separate State of Mizoram.
When the Mizo National Front
(MNF) formed the government in
1987 under the leadership of
Laldenga, Zoramthanga looked
after the Finance and Education
departments. In 1990, when
Laldenga died, he became the
president of the MNF. – PTI
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