Aizawl, Dec 28: The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, has made significant strides in administrative reforms while grappling with regional challenges in 2024, including the fallout from ethnic violence in neighboring Manipur and an increasing refugee influx.
Since assuming office in December 2023, the ZPM government has passed a record 46 bills aimed at reforming various sectors. A key focus was addressing the illegal practice of proxy employment within the state government. Over 3,600 government employees were found to have hired proxies, and the government issued orders for them to return to their assigned posts, warning of disciplinary action for non-compliance. Additionally, a performance review system was introduced to enhance government efficiency.
The Mizoram government has also strongly opposed the central government’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allowed border residents to cross freely. In February, the state assembly passed a resolution against these moves, and large protests were held in border villages in May.
Relations between Mizoram and Manipur soured due to the ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Lalduhoma and Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena called for the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur to restore peace, which was met with criticism from Manipur officials. The ZPM condemned the killing of a Mizo woman and the deaths of 10 Hmar-Mizo people in November, allegedly by security forces in Manipur.
Mizoram also continued to bear the burden of a significant refugee influx, currently hosting around 42,000 refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and internally displaced people from Manipur. In January, over 500 Myanmar soldiers who had fled to Mizoram were repatriated back to Myanmar.
In electoral politics, the ZPM secured Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha seat in June but lost the Sinlung Hills Council elections in November to the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).
Mizoram also faced severe weather challenges, with a devastating monsoon season exacerbated by Cyclone Remal in May. The floods and landslides caused the destruction of over 3,000 properties and led to the deaths of at least 34 people in the state capital region.