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Union Territory of Mizoram
*Mizoram*^[1]
Union Territory of Mizoram Mizoram
Union Territory of India
1972–1987
	;
Capital	Aizawl
Population
• 1971	292,386
• 1981	493,757
Government
Chief Minister
• 1972–1977	C. Chhunga
• 1978	T. Sailo
• 1979–1984	T. Sailo
• 1984–1986	Lal Thanhawla
Historical era	Cold War
• Union Territory established	19 January 1972
• Mizoram Peace Accord	30 June 1986
• Statehood	20 February 1987
Preceded by	Succeeded by
	Mizo District
State of Mizoram
Today part of	Mizoram

The Union Territory of Mizoram, spanning from 1972 to 1987, was formed as a response to the Mizo people's demand for greater autonomy.^[3] During this time period, reforms in administration and preservation of Mizo culture started.

Background

The Mizo National Front (MNF), formed in 1961, sought to address the perceived neglect and exploitation of the Mizo people by the central government. The insurgency led to unrest, conflicts, and demands for political autonomy. The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 stripped the Mizo district from the administration of the State of Assam. The formation of the Union Territory was part of a broader effort to recognise and respect the unique cultural and historical identity of the Mizo people.

The Union Territory of Mizoram was established with three administrative districts. Namely Aizawl, Lunglei, and Chhimpuitui.

History

In 1972, the Pawi-Lakher Region was redrawn into three autonomous administrative districts. The district was difficult to administrate due to the multiple languages of minorities living together. A Pawi autonomous district was made for the Lai people, a Lakher autonomous district for the Mara people and a Chakma autonomous council. Despite the Lai and Mara being Tibeto-Burman groups with cultural similarities to the Mizo people and being Christian, they considered themselves separate. The Chakma people were not Tibeto-Burman derived, had their own script and believed in Buddhism rather than Christianity. Chakma people also arrived across the border from the Chittagong Hill Tracts after the violence between Shanti Bahini and the Bangladesh Armed Forces. These refugees stayed in camps on the Mizoram border until 1986, in which, after statehood, the refugees were forcibly deported back to Bangladesh amidst the continuing conflict by Indian military personnel.^[4]

In the Autonomous Mizo District, foreign missionaries held influence on the Church alongside local leaders. However, in 1973, the central government's decision to expel foreign missionaries led to a relaxation in the repression of indigenous Mizo culture. The revival of traditional Mizo culture wasn't brought with the Church's approval, but rather, the students and youth organizations took the initiative and revived Chapchar Kut in this era. Chief Minister C. Chhunga adorned the traditional Mizo attire and inaugurated the 1973 Chapchar Kut. The festival became Christianized with former traditional of zu (rice beer) not used and new dance formations such as David's star.^[5]

In 1980 the Mizo Customary Law Committee was formed and in 1982 the Mizo Customary Laws compiling committee was set up. The committee consisted of Mizo elders, intellectuals and Christian pastors who tried to standardize Mizo customary law after the abolishment of chieftainship in 1954. The Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl was founded in 1976 as the largest women's body in Mizoram. Their political policy tended to focus on the resentment of male-biased Mizo customary laws. The MHIP lobbied for reforms of Mizo customary laws to divorce, inheritance, and sawn-man (compensation for the mother of an illegitimate child).^[6]

One of the most significant administrative achievements during this period was the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. This accord brought an end to years of insurgency, contributing to political stability and laying the foundation for further development and governance reforms.

References

^ "Mizo Chanchin, Bu II – A History of Lushai Hills, Part II [1947]", British Library, EAP454/13/12, https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP454-13-12
^ "Census of India Website: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in.
^ Lodrick, D. O. (2024, January 29). Mizoram. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Mizoram
^ Pachuau, Joy L.K.; Schendel, Willem V. (2015). The Camera as Witness: A social history of Mizoram, Northeast India. India: Cambridge University Press. p. 363-369. ISBN 978-1-107-07339-5.
^ Pachuau & Schendel 2015, p. 278-283.
^ Sawmveli, V. (2023). "Mizo Customary laws and the discourse of women's rights". In Krishna, Sumi (ed.). Routledge Readings on Colonial to contemporary Northeastern India. London: Routeledge. ISBN 9781003323921.