Mizoram celebrates 31st anniversary of peace accord

The 31st anniversary of the signing of the historic "Mizoram Peace Accord" between the central government and the erstwhile underground Mizo National Front (MNF) was celebrated on Friday in Mizoram.

All government and semi-government offices and educational institutions remained closed as the day was declared a public holiday.

Though no official function was organised by the government, the MNF, now in the opposition, held gatherings and interactive events across the state.

On the occasion, Governor Lt. Gen. (retired) Nirbhay Sharma urged the youths to refrain from drugs, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

The mountainous northeastern state, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, is a corridor of drug smuggling and a large section of youths is victim of the drug menace.

Urging the youths to take part in the ongoing "Healthy Mizoram Campaign", the Governor said: "Youths must abstain from different vices such as abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, as they are the future of the state."

He complimented the people of Mizoram for maintaining the "hard-earned peace" in the state and called upon them to remember the contribution of those who laid down their lives for the cause of peace and harmony in Mizoram.

Locally called "Remna Ni", the Mizoram Peace Accord was signed between the government of India and MNF on June 30, 1986, ending two decades of insurgency, after which the state became the 23rd Indian state on February 20, 1987.

Mizoram was part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory.

"Mizoram has shown progress and has many achievements to its credit in the last 31 years since the peace accord was signed," Sharma said.

The Mizoram government recently formed a "Peace Accord Review Committee" headed by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla to implement the terms of the accord.

The MNF said many of the terms and conditions of the peace agreement were yet to be fulfilled by the Centre as well as the state government.

--IANS

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