MNF remembers jungle ordeals of 1971
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Aizawl, December 16 2013:
Mizo National Front (MNF) here today observed what is termed as "Exodus Day" to remember its 'miraculous deliverance day' from the clutch of Indian army during their armed insurrection when the rebels' hideout was besieged by the former in the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on December 16, 1971 after its aide Pakistan surrendered to Indian army in the ensuing Bangladesh Liberation War.
Speaking on the occasion, Sr.
Vice president MNF Tawnluia said MNF cadres during their secessionist movement had been hiding at Sazek in East Pakistan since 1969 from where they came to Mizoram to unleash activities.
"During those days Awami League Party in East Pakistan under the leadership of Sheik Majibur Rahman was fighting for independent which entangled both India and Pakistan.
Consequently, in 1971 India declared war on Pakistan with a motive to create Bangladesh.
At that time MNF was working with Pakistan.
But, after Pakistan General Niaji in charge of Dhaka was surrendered to Indian Army, we had been besiege by the latter where the chance of escape was something not to dream of.
However, after continuous prayer, God had miraculously delivered us from the hands of Indian army and due to this we marked this very day as "Exodus Day", Tawnluia recollects adding if we had not been delivered by the almighty God from our enemy, our Mizo movement would have been perished and we would not have reached this position.
"God did not allowed the Mizo Independent movement to vanish away", emphasized Tawnluia.
He went on to the extent that they had been fovoured with 6 seats (including 1 seat by MPC) by God as his will.
"It does not mean that we should lose hope and give up.
We should rather learn from our recent result and give our best effort for the Mizo nation", Tawnluia added.
The Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged from Mizo National Famine Front which was formed by late Laldenga to protest against the inaction of the Indian central government towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of the Assam state in 1959.It staged a major uprising in 1966, followed by years of underground activities.
The MNF aimed at establishing a sovereign state for the Mizos .
A special armed wing called the Mizo National Army (MNA) was created for the purpose.
The MNA consisted of eight infantry "battalions" numbering 2000 men organised on the pattern of the Indian army.
It was supported by another group called the Mizo National Volunteers (MNV), which comprised an equal number of irregulars.
In the early 1960s, the MNF leaders including Laldenga visited East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where the Government of Pakistan offered them supply of military hardware and training.
Laldenga and his lieutenant Pu Lalnunmawia were arrested by the Government of Assam on the charge of conspiring against the nation, but were released in February 1964 after an undertaking of good conduct by Laldenga.
However, shortly after their release, MNF intensified its secessionist activities.
The MNF members forcibly collected donations from the Mizo people, recruited volunteers and trained them with arms supplied by Pakistan.
It was from this East Pakistan that MNF cadres came to Mizoram to carry out their militant activities.
However, after Pakistan General Niaji had surrendered to Indian army, the MNF were encircled on all sites by the Indian army where the chance of escape was very limited.
But after continuous 3 times prayer the MNF were fortunately delivered from army's siege.
In 1986, MNF signed the Mizo Accord with the Government of India, renouncing secession and violence.
It has become the strongest regional party in the state.
In 1998 and 2003 it won the assembly election and become the single largest party in Mizoram capable of ruling the state for 2 consecutive assembly terms.
Meanwhile, the MNF' office will remained close from December 18 and it will be re-opened again on January 6, 2014 on account of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
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