Mizoram declared insurgency-free as last militant group lays down arms

The last remaining ethnic insurgent group of Mizoram laid down arms on Thursday, and the state became “insurgency-free”, Chief Minister Lalduhoma said. Although it remained dormant for several years, a faction of the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) or HPC(D), headed by Lalhmingthanga Sanate, indulged in sporadic criminal activities at irregular intervals, officials said.

The Sanate faction was considered the last surviving insurgent group in the northeastern State. The HPC(D) had been demanding an autonomous district council for the Hmar community people under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

A total of 43 cadres of the group, including Sanate, surrendered their weapons to the government during a “homecoming and arms laying ceremony” at Sesawng near Aizawl during the day. The ‘homecoming ceremony’ follows the peace accord signed between the Mizoram Government and the HPC(D) on April 14, effectively marking the end of insurgency in the State. Speaking at the event, Lalduhoma said that the shadow of HPC(D) insurgency remained in mind whenever peace was spoken of in Mizoram in the past.

“We approached negotiations with an open heart to reach an agreement. Our home minister and his colleagues worked tirelessly. Today, we have reached our goal. Now, with a peaceful heart, we can proudly say Mizoram is a truly peaceful state,” the Chief Minister said.

Urging various Mizo tribes to reunite, Lalduhoma emphasised that no single tribe stands above the identity of being Mizo.

“We are all Mizos. If sub-tribes within the Mizo community try to stand entirely on their own today, it is unlikely they would succeed. We must find contentment in our shared Mizo identity. We will thrive only through unity,” he said.