Mizoram: Political history
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Rev. Chanchinmawia’s murder/ 2007
2018: ex- CM Zoramthanga files libel case
Rahul Karmakar, May 19, 2018: The Hindu
Former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has filed a criminal case against a Congress leader for alleging he had a hand in the death of a pastor 10 years ago.
Thansanga, an Aizawl-based Congress leader, had in the party’s Mizo language bulletin published a report on the “mysterious death” of Reverend Chanchinmawia in October 2007. The reverend was the moderator of Mizoram Presbyterian Synod and pastor of Aizawl’s Khatla Presbyterian Church.
“The bulletin came out a few days ago and went viral after the piece of news alleging my involvement in the church leader’s death was uploaded on social media. I filed a case on Thursday because it is a baseless allegation made to tarnish my reputation,” Mr. Zoramthanga told The Hindu.
In his complaint filed with chief judicial magistrate H. Lalduhsanga, the former Chief Minister said he had been accused of being the mastermind in the pastor’s murder. “I have also filed a criminal case against the editor and publisher of the bulletin,” Mr. Zoramthanga said.
Rev. Chanchinmawia was on October 1, 2007 found dead in his official residence with multiple injuries on his head and chest. The Mizo National Front, of which Mr. Zoramthanga is the president, was in power then.
The Mizoram police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) could not find any evidence to support the homicide angle and had concluded the pastor had committed suicide.
The case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2008. The CBI too found no evidence of foul play but trashed the SIT’s suicide theory. Rev Chanchinmawia, members of the Presbyterian Church said, was a very vocal campaigner for socio-political reforms in Mizoram.
2018
Dec: Mizo ministers take oath amid Christian rituals
In a 1st, Mizo ministers to take oath amid Christian rituals, December 14, 2018: The Times of India
A Tale Of Two Swearing-Ins: After Voters Show Their Faith, Netas Reveal Theirs
Mizo National Front is set to take oath in a predominantly Christian ceremony on Saturday, making it a first for a government in Mizoram.
Apart from readings of Biblical verses, religious hymns like Handel’s famed ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ will be sung to mark the occasion. “We are doing it for the first time,” Lalruatkima, a newly-elected MNF legislator, said on Thursday, adding, “Singing of gospel and reading of verses from the Bible will follow the national anthem.”
Two-time chief minister Zoramthanga (illustrated), who is also the head of MNF, and his team of ministers will take the oath of office at Raj Bhavan Friday noon.
MNF is known for its close association with the Church and its strong opposition to the dilution of prohibitions laws by the outgoing Congress government in the 97% Christian border state. The Lal Thanhawla regime had allowed manufacture of local wine and restricted sale of IMFL while MNF has always supported complete prohibition.
The 40-member assembly will now have 26 MLAs from MNF, eight from Zoram People’s Movement and five from Congress. It will also have its first BJP MLA, Buddha Dhan Chakma, a Buddhist who contested from Tuichawng.
2019
Govt. of India, state govt. honour former secessionists
August 10, 2019: The Times of India
Former Mizoram secessionists honoured by govt for valour
Aizawl:
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.
A total of 138 ‘soldiers’ of the erstwhile Mizo National Army were awarded for their valour at the event. 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 Mizoram government, led by Mizo National Front. 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 of the ministry of DoNER.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said, “The Mizo National Army, who were once considered as lawless elements by the country, are now being honoured. It is significant that even this programme is being sponsored by the Indian government. Their names are no longer spoken in hushed tones.”
Song, drama performances and speeches from representatives of the delegates from China also marked the programme. PTI
CM of Chin state takes shelter in Mizoram
H C Vanlalruata , June 15, 2021: The Times of India
The chief minister of Myanmar’s Chin state, Salai Lian Luai, was among the Myanmarese nationals who took shelter in Mizoram, highplaced sources in the state government said on Monday.
According to sources, Luai entered Mizoram late last week and was given shelter in a safe place inside the state. The lawyer-turned-politician was appointed as chief minister of the Chin state on April 2016. He held the post till date due to the military coup in Myanmar as the government could not be formed by National League for Democracy (NLD) which won a landslide victory in 2020 general elections due to the military coup d’etat on February 1, even as U Soe Htet was tipped to become the chief minister replacing the former.
Luai was detained by the Myanmar Armed Forces but was later released. He is among the 24 Myanmar legislators, elected in the 2020 general elections, and over 16,000 people who fled the country after military crackdown on anti-coup protesters and took shelter in Mizoram, the sources said.
See also
Mizoram: From ancient times to 1946 <>Mizoram 1870-1926: Christianity and literacy <>Mizoram: A brief chronology (1946-1997) <>Mizoram: A brief chronology, 1997- onwards <>Mizoram: Political history <> Mizoram: Parliamentary elections
