AIZAWL, July 1 - Mizoram, on Saturday, celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the historic �Mizoram Peace Accord� signed between Union Government and the erstwhile underground Mizo National Front (MNF).
All government and semi-government offices and educational institutions remained closed on the day as the day was declared a public holiday by the State Government.
The celebration organised by State apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), at Pachhunga University College (PUC) here was graced by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla as chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Lal Thanhawla urged the people to value and sustain peace in the State. �The present generation has to know the value of peace, and that, every denizen of Mizoram has equal responsibility of sustaining peace in the State,� he said.
The five time Mizoram Chief Minister also said that many people have contributed a lot to establishment of peace in Mizoram. Lal Thanhawla further said that one of the main reasons �why the State�s economy registers rapid growth� since recently is because the State Government has taken massive efforts to meet the need of the people. He also said that the �rapid increase� in economy rate was the result of peace.
The event was also addressed by MNF president Zoramthanga, Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) president and Zoram People�s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma and leaders of several NGOs.
During the celebration, MNF founder president and former CM late Laldenga, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and retired IAS officer Lalkhama were commemorated for their �outstanding contributions� towards establishment of peace in Mizoram.
Locally called �Remna Ni�, the Mizoram Peace Accord was signed between the Government of India and MNF on June 30, 1986, ending two decades of insurgency, after which the State became the 23rd Indian State on February 20, 1987.
�The MNF carried out a separatist movement in protest against the alleged negligence and indifference of the Government of India to the people of Mizoram at the time of a severe famine (mautam) during the late 1950s. After a major uprising followed by years of struggle in underground activities, but to no avail, the movement conceded to work within the Indian Constitution and to renounce violence and turmoil that had prevailed throughout Mizoram,� reports said.
Mizoram was a part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory.
The official document entitled Mizoram Accord, 1986, Memorandum of Settlement was the landmark that restored peace and harmony in the State. The signatories were Laldenga, leader of the movement, RD Pradhan, Home Secretary, and Lalkhama, Chief Secretary.
Remna Ni was also celebrated in different parts of the State on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajsekharan sent his greetings to the people of Mizoram on the occasion of the Peace Accord Day.
He said that �Remna Ni is a watershed in the history of Mizoram as it renews our hope for a peaceful, progressive and developed Mizoram.�
