Peace should come first, demands MC

Peace should come first, demands MC
Nitin A.Gokhale
(SENTINEL: 25 January, 1984)

The Mizo Convention (MC) is a force to reckon with in the Mizoram political field. A combination of three pro-Laldenga groups it is a staunch advocate of the MNF cause. I met their vice-president, Mr J Thanguama in the party office on a warm, sunny afternoon. An eloquent speaker, he spoke at length about various issues in Mizoram. Excerpts.

ON THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT
"It is not sympathetic to the cause of the MNF and it does not want the problem to be resolved. The government talks about developmental plans but the Mizo Convention feels that unless there is permanent peace there can not be any develop¬ment. The government pokey is like putting the cart before the horse."

ON CORRUPTION:
"The current administration is corrupt, no doubt but the Congress-I is more dangerous in this respect in the sense that it is corrupting the Mizo society as a whole by pouring in lot of money obtained from the Centre."

HIS SUGGESTION T0 SOLVE THE MNF PROBLEM;
"The MNF should be given a chance to run the government and then let the people decide for themselves about its worth. Now is the time to allow the rebels to exchange arms for chairs. This is the only solution to the problem."

ON DEMAND FOR STATEHOOD
"Statehood with certain Consti¬tutional safeguards is an absolute must for Mizoram. This is necessary to protect the Mizos from assimilation."

HIS PARTY'S STAND ON THE CHAKMA ISSUE
"They are the biggest threat to the Mizo people. There are atlest 30,000 of them on the electoral rolls alone. Since they are not Indians the Chakmas should not be allowed to take part in the elections:"

ON HIS PARTY'S POLL STRATEGY.
"We are not going to offer any false promises to the people and we are going to give top priority to find a ever lasting solution to the MNF issue”.