Minister’s support for IAF bombing in Mizo Hills criticised

AIZAWL, Feb 22 – Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana's justification of the bombing of civilian settlements in the State by the Indian Air Force on March 5 in 1966 was today termed as unfortunate by a Mizo Student Union.

Justifying the military action in the then Mizo Hills district, Lalzirliana said, "The aerial attacks by jet fighters of the IAF was conducted as the erstwhile underground Mizo National Front declared independence from the Indian Union."

Addressing conference of the State police service officials on Friday, he also rapped the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Federation for imparting wrong teachings among the people.

The MZP termed the Minister's comment as 'unfortunate' on the observation of the day as 'Zoram Ni'.

"The people of Japan observe the day the US dropped atomic bombs during World War-II as 'Peace Day, so the MZP also observes Zoram Ni to commemorate the singular incidence of aerial bombing of its own civilians by the Indian Government for the first and the last time," MZP leader and vice-chairman of the North East Students' Organisation (NESO) Lalmuanpuia Punte said.

He said the MZP observed 'Zoram Ni' since 2008 so that the new generation would remember the day in Mizo history.

Around 20 civilians were reported killed in the bombing five days after the MNF led by the late Laldenga declared independence from India. – PTI