Hmar political issues in Mizoram
- Part 2 -

Maria Pa *

Sikpuiruoi : Hmar community's post harvest winter festival at New Delhi in 2012 :: Pix - Lalremlien Neitham

The official letter of the Aizawl Superintendent of Police to all branches of YMA 11th May, 2012, asking them to be vigilant and report any suspicious stranger or people to the police have on the other hand catapult the HPC (D) to such a height it has never achieved.

Besides, the state government of Mizoram and its armed police force along with its sophisticated weapons also conducted a 'flag march' in Hmar demand area during the second week of May 2012 in order to send message to the HPC (D) that the state's police force is ready to face them anywhere anytime. That 'show of strength' did not in anyway 'create peaceful atmosphere and mutual trust among the people of the area'.

Rather, it alienated the Hmar people, who are accepted as the 'original Mizos' even by the present Lushai speaking Mizos. The State's Home Department's Official Circular issued to all Deputy Commissioners of the state on October 25, 2011 directing them to take necessary 'Measures so as not to allot/issue House Pass/Site to Hmar refugees but segregate them from local population and not to issue Job Card under MGNREGS' and also, 'not to enrol Hmar refugees in the ensuing Special Revision of Electoral Roll, 2012 in Mizoram' was without doubt, a humiliating insult to the Hmars and is against the provision of the Constitution of India.

The Congress led Mizoram government however seems to realise the futility of arresting the 'body' of the leaders of HPC (D) without 'their minds'. They therefore released them without much serious charge on February 6, 2013 soon after the two parties signed a 6 months ceasefire on January 31, 2013.

While the HPC (D) surrenders with their arms and ammunition to the state government of Assam to pave way for a tripartite political talk, they still kept them in Manipur albeit with some restrictions and their cadres who are issued identity cards are stationed in designated camps, the SoO they signed with Mizoram government is centred more on understandings and 'in good faith'. The SoO pact also specifically mentioned that, 'there will be a minimum two rounds of political talk within the 6 months period'.

The two rounds of talks held at Aizawl on July 18, 2013 and August 14, 2013 are not expected to immediately bear fruit by the stakeholders and general public as it is almost impossible to resolve the grievances of a community that take up arms since the last more than 25 years.

The political demand of HPC (D) in Mizoram is slightly different their issue in Manipur and Assam as in the latter two, they are demanding bigger autonomy from the majority plain peoples of their state who has been so far not at all cooperative. New Delhi will be more than happy to concede to the demand of 'extension of Sixth Schedule provision' by HPC(D) provided Mizoram give a slight hint of its approval as such arrangement has already been in place in Lai, Mara and Chakma areas of the state.

Mizoram, unlike its neighbouring states has not much an issue with immigration or issue related with the Inner Line Permit System so far. There is however, no guarantee that the now 90 percent tribal dominated and peaceful state will remain as it is unless some specific measure is taken by those who matter most. In fact, one political party of the state, the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) has already go to the extent of demanding the whole state to be converted back as Scheduled Area which is not at all without reason.

Unlike the Nagas who are bounded by their common acceptance of Naga nationhood, Mizos are bounded by their common origin, history, customs and practices and above all, by the Lushai (Duhlian) dialect which is the lingua-franca of all the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes. It is therefore not surprising to see that while the Hmar, Lai, Mara, etc are all seeking to promote, protect and preserve their culture, customs and dialects, they still put their official records and documents in Lushai dialect.

Verbal communication of 80 percent of all peoples of the state is also done in Lushai dialect or 'Mizo tawng'. The HPC (D), on its part, has also clearly states that, the Hmar political movement in Mizoram and Northeast India has never aimed to break up Mizoram or disassociate Hmars from Mizo ethnic nationhood. Rather, it aims to strengthen the ethnic Mizo nation as a whole, to preserve and develop its distinct cultures and traditions, customs, dialects and languages, and to protect its ethnic interests, identities, land and natural resources.

Hardliner Mizos including the all powerful NGO, the CYMA may feel that if Hmars are given such constitutionally approved autonomy, others tribes such as, Paite, Ralte, Huolngo, Biete, etc will follow suit and at last there will be no more Mizos. But what these shortsighted leaders fail to understand is that every tribe and sub-tribe wants to protect and preserve their own identity and live a dignified life as a tribe.

The head and body of minority leaders can be arrested and put behind bars or in an airtight compartment but not their mind and souls. On the other hand, various Mizo tribes of Mizoram and outside Mizoram irrespective of their minor differences will always be bounded by the Luhsai dialect or 'Mizo tawng'.

One thing as certain as the rise of the sun in the east everyday is that, even if HPC(D) demand of Autonomous Council in Sinlung Hill areas of Mizoram is granted today, Hmars who have already identify themselves as Mizo and speak the Lushai dialect will not suddenly changed their position and start speaking Hmar dialect and attend Hmar church the next day.

Giving opportunity for the Hmar to preserve, protect and promote their culture, custom and literature will in no way harm the Mizo brotherhood and unity. On the other hand, it will definitely augur better understanding and equal development and progress to the whole Mizo society, state and nation in the long run.

Chauvinistic Mizos, the NGOs and political parties who feel that giving autonomy to the Hmar people and region will ultimately pull down the Mizo nationhood should also think of measures how to bring physical, emotional and spiritual development of the minority tribes like the Hmars and their regions.

The state government will definitely have the power to chase down the present set of armed or unarmed leaders who fight for the Hmars' cause in Mizoram, put them behind bars, killed or left alone to meet their natural death; but definitely, the movement will in no way be arrested and will continue and go on and on.

Concluded...