Photo Courtesy: nenow
Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma faces mounting pressure to apologize for comments regarding the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and the 1986 Mizo Peace Accord. The Mizo National Front (MNF) issued a formal demand on August 4 for a public retraction by August 15. The party called his July 31 speech at Mizoram Law College offensive and factually incorrect.
Lalduhoma argued that the Centre holds the ultimate authority to revoke the ILP. He cautioned that arbitrary enforcement against non-locals invites judicial risk. Furthermore, he claimed the 1986 peace agreement was a pact between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and a political group, not the state government itself. He added that the Centre must consult the state but does not require its consent to alter the permit system.
The MNF claimed these statements jeopardize the Mizo community, ethnic unity, and regional security. They are currently weighing a statewide bandh to force a correction. Meanwhile, the Mizoram Congress youth wing staged a protest Tuesday outside Vanapa Hall. Demonstrators displayed an image of the Chief Minister wearing a traditional woman’s garment, the Pawnfen.
Rosiamngheta, general secretary of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized the Chief Minister for downplaying the historical settlement. “The peace and stability that Mizoram enjoys today were achieved only because of former chief minister and veteran Congress leader Lal Thanhawla and his colleagues surrendering their posts for the sake of Mizoram. Such hard-earned peace should never be spoken of lightly,” Rosiamngheta said.
Congress members allege that the Chief Minister intends to relax entry rules for non-locals. They worry this move threatens the interests of indigenous people. The political row continues to grow. Both parties demand accountability.
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