Unity of Zo communities echoed on Zoram Ni observation
Source: The Sangai Express

Aizawl, March 05 2017: Unity and the need for the integration of the Zo communities were echoed during the observation of Zoram Ni in Aizawl on Saturday.

Zoram Ni was observed in Aizawl on Saturday by Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex student body in Mizoram with a theme 'Mizo Nationalism/Zofate inpumkhatna (Unification of Zo descendants)' to mark the 51st anniversary of the bombing of Aizawl by Indian Air Force back in 1966 .

To mark the observation of Zoram Ni, a function was held at MZP Conference Hall.

Although the actual day of Zoram Ni falls on March 5, it was observed on March 4 which is Saturday as the actual day falls on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, MZP president Lalsangzuala Ngente said the student body observed Zoram Ni or Zoram Day neither to infuriate a political party nor to hurt the feeling of individuals or groups but the main motive was to revive and bring unity among all the Zo descendants , and to instill solidarity and brotherhood among them through their hardship.

Nengte said that the feeling of Mizo nationalism should be inculcated in new generations.

"It is greatly important to inculcate in us originality and stability than finding political benefits by making only verbal remarks," he said.

Ngente also expressed concern over the increasing inter-marriage between Mizos and non-tribals.

He said that the number of inter-marriage between Mizos and non-tribals has been increasing, and "this has to be checked and taken into account".

Ngente further expressed concern over the increasing number of "outsiders" in Mizoram.

He said that as far as business is concern many native Mizos blindly work with non-tribals who run business by borrowing the names of the natives.

"Therefore, it is important to know that lending a name to non-tribals for running business is a big threat to social and economic condition and an act of betraying one's own nation", he added.

Ngente then said that the Zo communities are gradually becoming conscious of Zo integration.

He said that there is no geographical barrier or boundaries when it comes to a nation or blood relation and all Zo descendants should have a vision that they would be under one administrative unit one day.

Since 2008, MZP has been observing March 5 as Zoram Ni or Zoram Day to mark the anniversary of the bombing of Aizawl by Indian Air Force.

Mizo writers and former MNF insurgents recollect in their accounts that on March 5, 1966, the first and only air raid by Indian Government to its own people was launched and bombed Aizawl and some other areas.

The air raid ordered by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Ghandhi was an attempt to quell the Mizo National Front (MNF) uprising, the group that initially adopted a non-violent approach to secure its political objective of self determination and later took up arms.

The bombing caused colossal destruction with some reports saying Aizawl town had "caught fire" .

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