AIZAWL, Dec 5 ? From remaining underground for 20 years to joining Indian politics to become Mizoram chief minister for the second time, Zoramthanga has completed a cycle which politicians in the country rarely do. Regarded as one of the best marksmen during his days of militancy, the dimunitive and suave Mizo National Front (MNF) chief is also one of the highly educated persons of the state.
He was born on July 13, 1944 in Samthang village, from where Zoramthanga?s family moved to Champhai in 1960, the constituency, where he fought and won a battle royal with his long political opponent and former chief minister Lal Thanhawla. He matriculated from G M High school at Champhai and graduated with English honours in 1966 from D M College, Imphal.
Zoramthanga abandoned teaching for the gun and joined the Mizo National Front (MNF) which was then a militant outfit and became the second in command to its chief Laldenga. After the famous Mizo accord was signed in 1986, which created a new phase in the insurgency-ridden Northeast and became the first peace initiative with the government, Zoramthanga returned to the national mainstream, becoming the PWD minister in the MNF led government which came to power soon after. Since then he was elected five times from his home constituency of Champhai. He won from Kolasib seat also this time besides steering his party to victory.