2024 was a year of political and social upheaval for Mizoram, marked by sweeping administrative reforms, protests over border issues, and the ongoing refugee crisis stemming from neighbouring countries.
At the heart of it all was the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government, which, under Chief Minister Lalduhoma, took decisive action to address long-standing problems while navigating challenges arising from external tensions.
A remarkable feat during the ZPM’s first year in power was the passage of a record 46 bills in the Mizoram Assembly.
This move, which highlighted the government's commitment to reform, addressed issues ranging from government employee performance to legislative changes in several sectors.
However, it was not without controversy. A particularly bold step was the government’s crackdown on a practice that had been entrenched for decades — the hiring of proxies by government employees.
In June, over 3,600 employees were identified for hiring proxies and were directed to be present at their official posts, with stern warnings about consequences for non-compliance.
The announcement of a performance review exercise also stirred reactions among civil servants, as Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed his commitment to improving service quality.
Lalduhoma said, "In just one year, we have implemented significant administrative and moral reforms, introducing several changes to improve the system."
The year also saw Mizoram taking a strong stance on national and regional issues. The government's opposition to the central decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the free movement regime dominated the early months of 2024.
The 510-kilometre-long border, shared with Myanmar, became a flashpoint, particularly after the state assembly passed a resolution in February rejecting the proposed border fencing.
"Thousands of people held massive rallies in the Mizoram-Myanmar border villages in May, protesting the Centre's decision," an official stated.
At the same time, Mizoram continued to bear the heavy burden of refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the conflict in neighbouring Manipur.
The influx of over 42,000 refugees — including Myanmar nationals and internally displaced people from Manipur — placed considerable strain on the state’s resources.
The ongoing crisis in Myanmar, alongside the ethnic violence in Manipur, meant that Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, found itself caught in a crossfire of both humanitarian and political challenges.
The tension between Mizoram and Manipur intensified with the tragic events in November, when a Mizo woman was allegedly raped and killed by miscreants, and 10 Hmar-Mizo people were killed by security forces in the Jiribam district of Manipur.
The Mizoram government, led by Lalduhoma and Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena, demanded action to end the conflict in Manipur, including advocating for the imposition of President's rule in the troubled state.
Vanlalvena’s controversial remarks about creating new administrative units for the warring communities of Meitei and Kuki-Zo also added fuel to the fire.
Both Lalduhoma and Vanlalvena came under fire from the Manipur government for their statements.
Despite the external challenges, there were some positive steps in resolving Mizoram's long-standing border dispute with Assam.
The fourth round of talks in August saw the two states agreeing to promote peace along their inter-state boundary. Both governments agreed to organise joint cultural and sports festivals to strengthen ties between the border districts, marking a diplomatic step towards improving relations.
The year was not without its natural disasters. Mizoram faced devastating monsoon rains that wreaked havoc across the state, causing landslides and flooding, particularly in the state capital region.
Over 3,000 properties, including churches and schools, were destroyed, and at least 34 people lost their lives due to the aftermath of cyclone Remal in May.
In the political arena, the ZPM scored a victory in June by securing Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha seat, but it faced a setback in November when it lost the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) elections to the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).
The SHC elections were the first civic body elections held after ZPM's victory in the state assembly elections in November 2023, which secured them 27 of the 40 seats.
Looking ahead, the ZPM government has committed itself to building on the reforms of the past year while managing the challenges that continue to threaten Mizoram's stability.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s administration will undoubtedly face more tests as the state seeks to navigate the complex web of regional, political, and humanitarian issues in the years to come.
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