Church's contribution hailed as Mizo Peace Accord observed

The northeastern state of Mizoram on Thursday celebrated the silver jubilee of the signing of the Mizo Peace Accord which ended insurgency and ushered in an era of peace.

Celebrations for 'Remna Ni' or peace day were jointly organised by the Church and the government in all eight districts across the state.

The historic Mizo Accord was signed between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Government of India on June 30, 1986.

Church had played an important role in arranging peace talks between the warring sides, ending almost 20 years of strife. Mizoram was granted statehood on February 1987.

Chief Minister Lalthanhawla lauded the role of Church and NGO's and said peace must be protected at all costs.

Lalthanhawla recalled how hundreds of people in his state had perished during the guerrilla upheavals since February 1966.

Political problems, he said, can be solved only through negotiation and not military might.

The chief minister thanked God for answering the prayers for peace and paid homage to people who perished during the insurgency.

The former chief minister and the MNF president Zoramthanga during a function at the Vanapa Hall hailed the Church for its "foresight and perseverance" and said it helped transform Mizoram from one of the most disturbed places to a peaceful state.

Commenting on the same, Rev. Lalsangliana of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, said, Church played a key role in ending violence and establishing peace in the state. "Our Christian faith encourages us to shun violence and embrace peace. It is indeed these actions that has led us to see a peaceful and developing state," he said.

Earlier, speaking at a seminar, Governor MM Lakhera said, the peace accord lasted due to the involvement of various sections of the society, the people's interest in peace and unity among the people.

"It is significant to consider why the Mizo peace accord succeeded and what peace had given us. There are huge developments in the field of education and Mizoram is now the second most literate state in India with literacy rate of more than 91.58 percent," he said.

"Infrastructure development is also another important steps and Mizoram is now the most developed among the eight sister states of the northeast India," Lakhera was quoted by IANS as saying.

The governor lauded the roles of the former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in restoring peace in Mizoram.