AIZAWL, June 28 - Mizoram�s apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), today celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the Mizo Accord, two days ahead of the event that falls on Sunday.
The date June 30, on which the Government of India and the then outlawed Mizo National Front (MNF) signed a peace accord 33 years ago, is known as Remna Ni or Peace Day.
The day featured mass performance of the Cheraw dance by students of 21 schools here and other cultural items.
On the occasion, the MZP honoured four persons for their contributions to restoration of peace in Mizoram, that culminated in the signing of the Mizo Accord of 1986 to end 20 years of insurgency. Rev Dr Zairema, Rev Dr HS Luaia, Rev Dr Lalngurauva Ralte (all posthumously), and Lalduhoma, MLA, were honoured today. The first three were church leaders, while Lalduhoma was at that time an IPS officer and the personal guard of ex-Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi. He had resigned to take active role in the peace process.
Attending the event as the chief guest, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said Mizoram has been fortunate to have a stable and time-tested peace accord. Urging the people to utilise the peaceful environment in the State, Zoramthanga said: �Without peace, there can be no development.�
Zoramthanga said the peace accord was a compromise between the Indian Government and the MNF in which both sides stepped down from their original demands.
MZP president L Ramdinliana said the motive for celebrating the Remni Ni was to teach the younger generation the value of peace.
