Mizoram CM reiterates commitment for Greater Mizoram
First Published: 27th June, 2023 19:44 IST
The CM said that he had discussed the issue of Greater Mizoram with Manipur CM N Biren Singh during their recent phone conversation
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday reiterated the commitment of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in working towards the unification of all Zo ethnic tribes and their integration under a single administrative unit.
Speaking at the MNF’s Tawi East Block conference in the Manipur border Saitual district, he mentioned his recent telephonic conversation with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, where the idea of Greater Mizoram was potentially discussed.
In a statement released by the party, Zoramthanga emphasized that the objective of the MNF since its formation on October 22, 1961, has been to unify all areas inhabited by the Zo community into one administrative unit. He reiterated that this remains their aspiration.
The demand for Greater Mizoram, which seeks to unite all Zo-inhabited areas outside of Mizoram, was initially championed by the MNF under the leadership of Laldenga during their struggle for independence from India in 1966. The movement saw significant participation from volunteers of the Kuki community.
The demand for Greater Mizoram, which the MNF believed could be achieved through Article 3 of the Constitution, featured prominently during the peace negotiations between the Indian government and the MNF. However, it was eventually dropped when the peace agreement was signed on June 30, 1986.
With the recent outbreak of ethnic clashes in Manipur, the concept of Greater Mizoram resurfaced, evident through signs and graffiti in various hill districts of Manipur.
Additionally, 10 legislators of Manipur belonging to the Kuki-Zo community expressed their demand for a separate administration, either in the form of a Union Territory or the merger of Kuki-Zo inhabited hill districts with Mizoram.
Earlier on May 19, CM Zoramthanga had said that the Mizoram government cannot directly interfere in the internal affairs of Manipur on the issue of ‘Greater Mizoram’ or unification of Mizoram’s contiguous area in Manipur with the state.
The hill areas of Manipur, adjoining Mizoram, is inhabited by ‘Zo’ community who shares the same culture, religion, tradition and ancestry.
Zoramthanga, while addressing the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) workers at ‘Hnam Run’, MNF party office in Aizawl, said that initiatives should come from ‘our kindred brothers’ in Manipur as the issue of unification of Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes should not be imposed.
He said that while the state government cannot directly interfere in the internal affairs of the neighboring state, which was recently rocked by violence, he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his Manipur counterpart N. Biren Singh.
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