Ex-MNF rebels boycott peace accord signing day

AIZAWL, June 30 ? A faction of former Mizo National Front (MNF) association on Sunday boycotted ?Remna Ni? or peace day, the 16th anniversary of the signing of accord between the Centre and the erstwhile underground MNF, report PTI. Peace accord MNF Retumees Association (PAMRA) leaders said that they decided to boycott the peace day as a plethora of provisions of the peace accord signed on June 30, 1986 were yet to be implemented by the Centre. They said provisions like establishment of a separate high court, implementation of border trade and payment of compensation and ex-gratia to the victims of insurgency years were yet to be fulfilled. They also alleged that some officials in the State government misappropriated funds meant for rehabilitation and resettlement of MNF activists who came overground following signing of the accord. ?While government records said that Rs 60,000 each was given to us, we received only Rs 40,000 each,? they claimed.

Meanwhile, Aizawl district Superintendent of Police Zorammawia told PTI that few ex-rebels were moving around in the city in three cars asking some hawkers to go home. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the State, Zorammawia said, adding strict vigil was maintained especially near Raj Bhavan where the former rebels intended to organise a sit in. Ramfangzauva, State Secretary for Relief and Rehabilitation department and chairman of an inquiry committee instituted by the government to enquire into the allegations, said that the committee was yet to submit its findings to the government. ?It will be a long process as each and every record have to be scrutinised and the former rebels examined? he said.

The memorandum of settlement, popularly known as ?Mizo Accord? was signed by underground MNF supremo Laldenga, the then Union Home Secretary G Parthasarthy and the then Chief Secretary of Mizoram Lalkhama on June 30, 1986 bringing an end to 26-year-long insurgency. All the underground activists came overground and laid down arms in the later part of 1986 amidst euphoria and celebrations by the insurgency weary and peace loving mizo people. Laldenga was later inducted as Chief Minister to lead the interim government and the then Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who stepped down to give a room for Laldenga was inducted as Deputy Chief Minister. MNF won the 1987 Assembly elections and Laldenga became the first Chief Minister of Mizoram when it was upgraded into a ful-fledged State from the Union Territory status on February 20, 1987.