Guwahati: Former Mizoram Chief Minister and veteran Mizo National Front leader Zoramthanga delivered a special lecture at Gauhati University on Thursday, reflecting on Mizoram’s journey from decades of conflict and insurgency to peace and political stability. Speaking on the theme “From Conflict to Peace”, Zoramthanga drew from his own experience of the Mizo political movement and the peace process that eventually brought an end to the insurgency in Mizoram. Zoramthanga was closely associated with the Mizo National Front (MNF) movement and served as a key aide to its founder Laldenga. The insurgency came to an end with the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986, after which the MNF entered the democratic political process. Mizoram subsequently attained full statehood in 1987.
Also Read: Assam, Meghalaya CMs agree to work together to ease border tension
The former Chief Minister used the lecture to discuss how dialogue, political negotiations and a willingness to accommodate different viewpoints can help societies move away from prolonged conflict. His personal journey, from the underground movement to becoming a democratically elected Chief Minister, offered a first-hand perspective on the transformation. The interaction at the university also provided students and academics an opportunity to understand the historical circumstances behind the Mizo peace process and the challenges involved in converting an armed movement into a political process.
Zoramthanga served as Chief Minister of Mizoram in two separate periods before returning to office in 2018. He remained Chief Minister until 2023. The lecture comes at a time when peace and reconciliation remain important subjects across the Northeast, a region that has witnessed several armed movements and peace initiatives over the decades. The programme at Gauhati University highlighted the importance of documenting such experiences for younger generations and using the lessons of the past to strengthen dialogue, democratic institutions and lasting peace in the region.
