AIZAWL, Dec 17 - If December 16 is a day of victory for India, it marks an �exodus� for the Mizo National Front (MNF) which had fought for independence from India during 1966 to 1986.
The day, which marks the victory of India over Pakistan in the 1971 War, is remembered by the MNF as �Exodus Day� as on this day the MNF cadres, who supported Pakistan, were �miraculously rescued by God from a death trap� in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
�How God delivered us from death on that day was a miracle. It was a clear sign that God did not want the Mizo nationalism eliminated from history,� MNF president and newly inducted Chief Minister Zoramthanga said.
The MNF holds the flame of �Mizo nationalism� that no other parties can hold, that makes it different from other political parties, according to Zoramthanga.
�A number of political parties which claimed to stand for Mizo nationalism have become defunct. But the MNF has withstood the Indian Government�s attempt to suppress it with all its military might and survives to celebrate a golden jubilee,� Zoramthanga said.
�This (nationalism) flame�, the MNF supremo claimed, �will never die as it will be handed down from generation to generation.� The MNF, with its vice-president Tawnluia, observed the Exodus Day at the MNF office �Hnam Run� here today.
On this day in 1971, about 1,000 MNF cadres were held in Rangamati headquarters by joint forces of Mukti Bahini guerillas and Indian Army, following the defeat of East Pakistan. MNF president Laldenga, who led the cadres, suggested that they pray to God for three times. �After praying for three times, the MNF cadres miraculously escaped through a water route enveloped by heavy fog,� the MNF statement said.
