It has been 27 years since Mizo Peace
Accord that was signed on June 30, 1986 between the erstwhile separatist
insurgent group Mizo National Front (MNF) and Government of India
paving way for restoration of peace after 20 years of armed conflict
since 1966 that left people of tiny Mizoram in jitters.
Members of Ex-Mizo National Army
(erstwhile militant wing of the MNF) Association demanded financial
assistance from the Government of India taking proper care of these
innocent victims of the conflict as their families no longer could bear
the expenditure required to look after them.
They alleged that a large number of Mizo
women were raped and tortured by Indian Army in the armed conflict with
MNF during 1966-86, especially after MNF declared Mizoram an
‘Independent State’.
They stated that media was not allowed
inside during that period and Indian Army was given all the power. The
Army allegedly killed many innocent Mizo men and raped and tortured
young Mizo women.
The former rebels said some of those
raped women are now elderly women and mentally deranged and thereby have
become burden for their families.
The former rebels also demanded that
some cases filed against Mizo rebels were still pending though it was
assured during the signing of Mizo Accord that those cases would be
dropped. For instance, they cited particular three criminal cases filed
by Manipur government against three former Mizo National Army rebels
–Lalzarliana, Lalbiakhluna and Vanlalhruaia – were still pending and the
mental agony caused by the pending case has made Lalzarliana a mentally
deranged person now.
The criminal cases in question were
registered by Manipur government as per FIR No.303 (6) 1984 U/S
396/397/121-A/326 IPC RW 25 Arms Act & 13 UAP Act. After signing of
Mizo Accord when MNF formed two subsequent government in Mizoram,
respective MNF chief ministers of Mizoram had requested the chief
minister of Manipur, Governor of Manipur and President of India for
number if times to drop these cases, but in vain.