Shops shut, streets empty: MNF’s 10-hr bandh brings Mizoram to standstill

Aizawl, Oct 29: Mizoram’s main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), on Wednesday staged a 10-hour statewide shutdown in protest against the state government’s decision to adopt the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act (FCAA), 2023, through a resolution.

Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who leads the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government, faced strong opposition as the shutdown, which began at 6 am, brought normal life to a halt across the state—except in Mamit district, where a bypoll to the Dampa Assembly seat is scheduled for November 11, MNF vice-president and Leader of Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte said.

All government and private offices, educational institutions, commercial banks, and business establishments remained closed during the strike. Streets in Aizawl and other towns wore a deserted look, with only emergency vehicles allowed to ply.

The strike also received support from the People’s Conference party and the Joint Civil Society Mizoram (CJM), a coalition of several organisations. Ralte claimed that the shutdown witnessed widespread public support across the state.

People across the state strongly supported the shutdown, and the party may call it off earlier than the scheduled 4 pm due to the response," he said.

MNF president and former chief minister Zoramthanga said his party has consistently opposed the extension of the FCAA in Mizoram, terming it unsafe for the state.

"The FCAA is dangerous for the Mizo people and Mizoram as the Centre could take control of almost the entire land in the name of national security and strategic projects. The law exempts a 100-km area from international borders. We will withdraw the resolution endorsing the Act when the MNF returns to power," Zoramthanga said.

Mizoram is sandwiched between two international borders - Bangladesh in the west and Myanmar in the east- and if the new law allows exemption of forest clearance for "strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security" within 100 km of international borders, a small state like Mizoram may loss almost its entire land, he said.

He blamed Lalduhoma for allegedly supporting the law despite his strong stance against it when he was in the opposition bench.

The former rebel leader also said the extension of the FCAA in Mizoram violates article 371G of the Constitution, which provides special protection to Mizoram in terms of custom, religion, and transfer and ownership of lands, among others, he said.

The Mizoram Assembly during its monsoon session on August 27 adopted a resolution to extend the FCAA, 2023 in the state from this year, which was a reverse from its earlier resolution adopted in August 2023 during the MNF rule.

PTI