Mizoram: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|State in northeastern India}}

 

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}

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| leader_name                    = [[Kambhampati Hari Babu]]<ref name=TNM/>

| leader_name3                    = [[Unicameral]]

*[[Mizoram Legislative Assembly|Assembly]] ([[List of constituencies of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly|40 seats]])

| area_rank                      = [[List of states and territories of India by area|24th]]

| population_rank                = [[List of states and union territories of India by population|27th]]

| blank1_info_sec2                = [[Mizo language|Mizo]] and [[English language|English]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North East India|url=https://mdoner.gov.in/about-north-east/mizoram|access-date=24 February 2021|website=mdoner.gov.in}}</ref>

| flag      =

'''Mizoram''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|pron|audio=Mizorampron.ogg|m|ɪ|ˈ|z|ɔːr|ə|m}}) is a state in [[northeast India|northeastern India]], with [[Aizawl]] as its seat of government and capital city. The name of the state is derived from "[[Mizo people|Mizo]]", the self described name of the native inhabitants, and "Ram", which in the Mizo language means "land." Thus "Mizo-ram" means "land of the Mizos".<ref>Sajnani, Encyclopaedia of Tourism Resources in India, Volume 1, {{ISBN|81-78350173}}, page 241</ref> Within India's northeast region, it is the southernmost landlocked state, sharing borders with three of the [[Seven Sister States]], namely [[Tripura]], [[Assam]] and [[Manipur]]. The state also shares a {{convert|722|km|adj=on}} border with the neighbouring countries of [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]].<ref>[http://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/page/about-mizoram About Mizoram] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620093508/http://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/page/about-mizoram |date=20 June 2014 }} DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS, Government of Mizoram</ref>

According to a 2011 census, in that year Mizoram's population was 1,091,014. It is the [[list of states and union territories of India by population|2nd least populous state]] in the country.<ref name=mizocensus/> Mizoram covers an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometres,<ref name=ppimizo/> of which approximately 91% is forested.<ref name=fsi11/>

About 95% of Mizoram's population descends from a diverse tribal origin.  Mizos first began to settle the area in the 16th century, coming in waves of immigration from [[Southeast Asia]]. This immigration lasted through the 18th century.<ref>J.M. Lloyd, History of the Church in Mizoram: Harvest in the Hills (Aizawl: Synod publication Board, 1991, 2), {{OCLC|29798339}}</ref> Among all of the states of India, Mizoram has the highest concentration of tribal people. The Mizoram people are currently protected under the Indian constitution as a [[Scheduled Tribe]].<ref name=tribalmizo/> Mizoram is one of three states of India with a Christian majority (87%).<ref name=Census>{{Citation | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm | contribution = Mizoram | title = Population by religious communities | publisher = Census | place = [[India|IN]] | year = 2001 | access-date = 11 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100701214405/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm | archive-date = 1 July 2010 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}.</ref> Its people belong to various Christian denominations, being mostly [[Presbyterians]] in the north and [[Baptists]] in the south.

Mizoram is a highly literate [[agrarian economy]]. [[Slash-and-burn]] ''jhum'', or [[shifting cultivation]], is the most common form of farming, though it gives poor crop yields.<ref name=sapagri/> In recent years, the jhum farming practices have been steadily replaced with a significant [[horticulture]] and [[bamboo]] products industry.<ref name=agristat/><ref name=ibef2/> The state's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at {{INRConvert|69.91|b|lk=r}}.<ref name=ppimizo/> About 20% of Mizoram's population lives below the poverty line, with 35% [[rural poverty]] as of 2014.<ref name=rbipov/> The state has about 871 kilometres of national highways, with NH-54 and NH-150 connecting it to Assam and Manipur respectively. It is also a growing transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh.<ref name=ibef/>

The term Mizoram is derived from two Mizo words-''Mizo'' and ''ram''. 'Mizo' is the name used to call the native inhabitants and 'Ram' means 'land'. There is a dispute on the term 'zo'. According to one view, 'zo' means 'highland' (or hill) and Mizoram means 'land of the Mizos'. B. Lalthangliana says 'zo' may also mean 'cold region' and therefore, Mizo may also signify people of the cold region.<ref>Lalthangliana B (2001) The History of Mizos in India, Burma and Bangladesh.</ref>

The Mizo Hills formally became part of [[British India]] in 1895, and practices such as head-hunting were banned in Mizoram as well as neighbouring regions.<ref>Ved Prakash (2007), Encyclopaedia of North-East India, Vol. 1 ({{ISBN|978-81-269-0703-8}}), 4 ({{ISBN|978-81-269-0706-9}}) & 5 ({{ISBN|978-81-269-0707-6}})</ref> The northern and southern Mizo Hills became the Lushai Hills, with Aizawl as their headquarters by declaring the whole area as an "excluded area" (a term sometimes used interchangeably with "backward tract") till India got independence from the British.<ref>[http://mizoram.nic.in/about/history.htm Mizoram History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721173040/http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/history.htm |date=21 July 2011 }}, National Informatics Centre, Government of India (2012)</ref> At the time of the British conquest, there were around 60 chiefs.<ref name="Suhas1995"/> After Christian missionaries arrived with the gospel, the majority of the population became Christians in the first half of the 20th century.

By the time India gained independence from the British Empire, the number of tribal chiefs had increased to over 200. The educated elites among the Mizos campaigned against the tribal [[chiefdom]]s under the banner of the [[Mizo Union]]. As a result of their campaign, the hereditary rights of the 259 chiefs were abolished under the Assam-Lushai District ("Acquisition of Chief's Rights") Act, 1954.<ref name="Suhas1995"/><ref name=misai/> Village courts were re-implemented in the Mizo region along with other parts of Assam. Few Christian missionaries came to Mizoram during the colonial period knowing that the rural hill population was busy fighting among different tribes. The missionaries propagated Christianity with the support of the British government. As a result, majority converted to Christianity and changed their faiths without any resistance. The Mizos were particularly dissatisfied with the government's inadequate response to the 1959–60 [[mautam]] famine. The Mizo National Famine Front, a body formed for famine relief in 1959, later developed into a new political organisation, the [[Mizo National Front]] (MNF) in 1961.<ref name="Braja1998"/> A period of protests and [[March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising|armed insurgency]] followed in the 1960s, which resulted in the MNF seeking independence from India.<ref name=dommen/> The Mizo insurgents were getting funded and sponsored by then East Pakistan and China. However, the turmoil for secession from India staged by MNF failed to garner any public support or participation from people. In an attempt to counter these insurgency threats, the Indian government bombed state areas affected with insurgency (which is the only known bombing of India on its own soil) on 5 March 1966. Four French-built Dassault Ouragan Fighter Jets (nicknamed Toofani) of the Indian Air Force and British hunters from Tezpur, Kumbhirgram and Jorhat in Assam were deployed to Aizawl (the heart of Mizoram) and other areas as a part of the operation, which continued until 13 March.

After the statehood of Mizoram, the region has benefited considerably from the creation of a Central University, High Court Bench and autonomous districts for tribes.

Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. As many as 21 major hill ranges or peaks of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and there. The average height of the hills to the west of the state is about {{convert|1000|m|ft}}. These gradually rise up to {{convert|1300|m|ft}} to the east. Some areas, however, have higher ranges which go up to a height of over {{convert|2000|m|ft}}. [[Phawngpui|Phawngpui Tlang]] also known as the Blue Mountain, situated in the southeastern part of the state, is the highest peak in Mizoram at {{convert|2210|m|ft}}.<ref name=haba>Hamlet Bareh, Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram, Volume 5, {{ISBN|8170997925}}, pp 173-175</ref> About 76% of the state is covered by forests, 8% is fallows land, 3% is barren and considered uncultivable area, while cultivable and sown area constitutes the rest.<ref>[http://power.mizoram.gov.in/uploads/files/hydro-power-policy-of-mizoram.pdf Hydro Electric Power Policy of Mizoram] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903093148/http://power.mizoram.gov.in/uploads/files/hydro-power-policy-of-mizoram.pdf |date=3 September 2014 }} Government of Mizoram (2010), page 2</ref> [[Slash-and-burn]] or ''jhum'' cultivation, though discouraged, remains in practice in Mizoram and affects its topography.<ref>T. R. Shankar Raman, Effect of Slash-and-Burn Shifting Cultivation on Rainforest Birds in Mizoram, Northeast India Conservation Biology, Vol. 15, No. 3 (Jun. 2001), pp. 685-698</ref><ref>Grogan, P., Lalnunmawia, F., & Tripathi, S. K. (2012), Shifting cultivation in steeply sloped regions: a review of management options and research priorities for Mizoram state Northeast India, Agroforestry systems, 84(2), 163-177</ref> A report by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2021 states that Mizoram has the highest forest cover as a percentage of its geographical area of any Indian state, being 84.53% forest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forest Survey report 2021 released; increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country in last two years. |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1789635 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref>

The state has two national parks and six wildlife sanctuaries – Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) National Park, [[Dampa Tiger Reserve]] (largest), Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Murlen National Park, Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary.<ref>[http://tourism.mizoram.gov.in/page/wildlife-sanctuary.html WILDLIFE SANCTUARY] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718022426/http://tourism.mizoram.gov.in/page/wildlife-sanctuary.html |date=18 July 2014 }} Department of Tourism, Government of Mizoram (2013)</ref>

Sometime in the 16th century CE, the first batch of Mizo crossed Tiau River and settled in Mizoram and they were called as [[Kuki people|Kukis]] by [[Bengalis]].<ref name=lsmgov/> The term Kuki mean the inhabitants of the interior and inaccessible mountain tracts. Sometimes grouped as [[Kuki-Chin-Mizo people|Kuki-Chin]] tribes, The First batch were called Old Kukis, which are the [[Biate people|Biate]] and the [[Hrangkhol people|Hrangkhol]], and the second batch that followed include [[Lushei]] (or Lusei), [[Paite people|Paite]], [[Lai people|Lai]], [[Mara people|Mara]], [[Ralte people|Ralte]], [[Hmar people|Hmar]], [[Thadou people|Thadou]], Shendus, and several other.<ref name=lsmgov>[http://landrevenue.mizoram.gov.in/uploads/files/historical-evolution-of-mizoram.pdf THE LAND SYSTEMS OF MIZORAM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714155933/http://landrevenue.mizoram.gov.in/uploads/files/historical-evolution-of-mizoram.pdf |date=14 July 2014 }}, Govt of Mizoram (2007)</ref>

 

The [[Bru people|Bru]] ([[Reang language|Reang]]), [[Chakma people|Chakma]], [[Tanchangya people|Tanchangya]] are some non-Kuki tribes of Mizoram, with some suggestion that some of these are [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] in their origins.<ref name="lsmgov" /> The [[Bnei Menashe]] tribe claim [[Jews|Jewish]] descent.<ref name="mzote">Zote, Mona (2005), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/23006028 Heaven in Hell: A paradox] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002342/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23006028 |date=13 September 2018 }}, India International Centre Quarterly, Vol. 32, No. 2/3, pp 203-212.</ref>

Other than tribal groups, other ethnic groups inhabit Mizoram including [[Bengalis]] and [[Nepalis]].<ref name="Lang2011"/><ref name="Bareh"/> [[Gurkha|Nepali Gorkhas]], for example, were encouraged to settle in [[Aizawl]] area and other parts of Mizoram during the British colonial times. Thousands of their descendants are now residents of Mizoram.<ref name="Bareh">Hamlet Bareh, Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram, Volume 5, {{ISBN|8170997925}}, pp 260-261</ref>

| caption = Languages of Mizoram in 2011<ref name="Lang2011">{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|last=ORGI|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815035759/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1500.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=3 January 2021}}</ref>

[[Mizo language|Mizo]] and English are the official languages of the state.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 November 2021|title=Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region, Mizoram State Information|url=https://mdoner.gov.in/about-north-east/mizoram|url-status=live|access-date=9 November 2021|website=[[Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region]]}}</ref> Mizo is the most widely used language for verbal interactions, but English, being important for education, administration, formalities and governance, is widely used. The Duhlian dialect, also known as the [[Lusei]], was the first language of Mizoram and has come to be known as the [[Mizo language]]. The language is mixed with other dialects like the [[Hmar language|Hmar]], [[Mara language|Mara]], [[Lai languages|Lai]], [[Thadou-Kuki]], [[Paite language|Paite]], [[Gangte language|Gangte]], etc. Christian missionaries developed the Mizo script. Writing is a combination of the [[Roman Script]] and [[Hunterian transliteration]] methodology with prominent traces of a phonetics-based spelling system. There are 25 letters in the alphabet: ''A, AW, B, CH, D, E, F, G, NG, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, Ṭ ''(with a dot under)'', U, V, Z''.

|color1 = Blue

|color2 = Gold

The major Christian denomination is [[Mizoram Presbyterian Church]] which was established by a Welsh missionary [[David Evan Jones (missionary)|Rev. D.E. Jones]] starting in 1894.<ref>T Raatan, Encyclopaedia of North-east India: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram; {{ISBN|978-8178350684}}</ref> By the time [[India]] gained independence from [[British Empire]], some 80% of [[Lushei]] tribe people had converted to [[Christianity]].<ref name=cnun>C. Nunthara (2002), Mizoram: Society and Polity, {{ISBN|978-8173870590}}, pp 59-63</ref> The [[Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod|Mizoram Presbyterian Church]] is one of the constituted bodies of the [[Presbyterian Church of India|General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India]] at [[Shillong]] in [[Meghalaya]]; it became the dominant Christian group in north Mizoram hills.  In the southern hills of Mizoram, the [[Baptist Church of Mizoram|Baptist Church]] had the dominant following.<ref name=cnun/> Other Christian churches present in Mizoram include the [[United Pentecostal Church]], the [[Salvation Army]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], [[Church of God (Seventh-Day)|Church of God (Seventh Day)]], Mizoram Conference, [[Kohhran Thianghlim]], [[Roman Catholic]], Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Kohhran (LIKBK), [[Congregational Church of India (Maraland)]], [[Evangelical Church of Maraland]], Independent Church of India (ICI) and Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI).

According to 2011 census report there are 93,411 people who follow [[Buddhism]] in Mizoram.<ref name= "census2011"/> The [[Chakma people|Chakmas]] and [[Tanchangya people|Tongchangya or Tanchangya]] have been Buddhist since {{when|date=May 2017}} historical times and there are approximately one hundred monasteries (known as [[Vihāra|vihara]] in [[Pali]]) in Mizoram.

According to the 2011 census, there were 30,136 [[Hindu]]s in Mizoram or about 2.75% of the population.<ref name= "census2011"/>

There are also a few Mizos who practice [[Judaism]] (866 according to the 2001 census) and a modernised traditional Mizo religion called ''Hnam sakhua'', which places a special emphasis on Mizo culture and seeks to revive traditional Mizo values while opposing the influence of [[Christianity]] on Mizo people.<ref name="Government of Mizoram">{{Cite web|url=https://www.panchayatportals.gov.in/web/department-of-panchyati-raj-mizoram/hidden/-/asset_publisher/h7cmn7e306iI/content/about-mizoram|title=About Mizoram|publisher=Dept of Panchayati Raj, Government of Mizoram}}</ref>

Assam state was split, re-organised into multiple political regions, Mizo hills area was declared Mizoram after the insurgency, and it received status as a Union Territory in 1972.<ref name=misai/> A Peace Accord was signed between central government and insurgent groups of Mizoram on 30 June 1986. Per the accord, insurgents surrendered their arms and Mizoram became the 23rd state of India in 1986, formalised the following year. The first election of Mizoram Legislative Assembly was held on 16 February 1987.<ref name=misai/> Elections have been held at 5-year intervals since then. The most recent [[2018 Mizoram Legislative Assembly election|Mizoram elections]] were held for 40 seats of legislative assembly on 28 November 2018. The voter turnout was 80%. The Mizo National Front led by [[Zoramthanga]] was elected to power.<ref>{{cite web |title=Assembly Elections December 2013 Results |work=ECI |publisher=Election Commission of India |url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6LocAsgys?url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/ |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=4 May 2017 }}</ref>

There are three [[Autonomous regions of India|Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)]] for ethnic tribes in Mizoram, namely [[Chakma Autonomous District Council]] (in the southern part of state, bordering [[Bangladesh]]), [[Lai Autonomous District Council]] (LADC) for [[Lai people]] in the southern part of the state, and [[Mara Autonomous District Council]] (MADC) for [[Mara people]] in the southern-eastern corner. The Chakma people has been demanding to covert the existing [[Chakma Autonomous District Council]] in Mizoram into a Union territory under the name Chakmaland. This is because the predominantly Buddhist [[Chakma people]] in Mizoram have faced discrimination by the Mizo people, who are predominantly Christian.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2017/09/21/sc-verdict-on-chakmas-hajongs-could-prove-catastrophic-for-arunachal/|title=SC verdict on Chakmas, Hajongs could prove catastrophic for Arunachal|newspaper=Arunachal Times|author=Taba Ajum|date=21 September 2017|access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref>

Mizoram gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2011-2012 was about {{INRConvert|69.91|b}}.<ref name=ppimizo/> The state's gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth rate was nearly 10% annually over 2001-2013 period. As of 2019, the state's GSDP was US$ 3.57 billion.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} With international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, it is an important port state for southeast Asian imports to India, as well as exports from India.<ref name=ibef/>

Mizoram has a highly literate work force, with literacy rate of nearly 90% and widespread use of English. The state has a total of 4,300 kilometres of roads of which 927 kilometres are high quality national highways and 700 kilometres of state highways. The state is developing its Kolodyne River for navigation and international trade. Mizoram's airport is at the capital city of Aizawl. The state is a power deficit state, with plans to develop its hydroelectric potential. After agriculture, the major employer of its people include handloom and horticulture industries. Tourism is a growth industry. In 2008, the state had nearly 7,000 registered companies. The state government has been implementing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to encourage economic growth.<ref name=ibef2>[http://www.ibef.org/download/Mizoram_190111.pdf Mizoram Economy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233831/http://www.ibef.org/download/Mizoram_190111.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }} IBEF, New Delhi (2010)</ref>

Before 1947, agriculture in Mizoram predominantly used to be slash-and-burn driven ''[[shifting cultivation|Jhum]]'' cultivation. This was discouraged by the state government, and the practice has been slowly declining.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mizoram to implement new land use policy|url=http://www.sify.com/news/mizoram-to-implement-new-land-use-policy-news-national-kdrtkededhc.html|access-date=20 August 2012|newspaper=Sify News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510071435/http://www.sify.com/news/mizoram-to-implement-new-land-use-policy-news-national-kdrtkededhc.html|archive-date=10 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A 2012 report<ref name=goswami/> estimates the proportion of shifting cultivation area in Mizoram to be about 30% - predominant part of which was for rice production (56% to 63% depending on the year). Despite dedicating largest amount of labour, jhum cultivated and non-jhum crop area to rice, the yields are low; Mizoram average rice yields per acre is about 70% of India's average rice yield per acre and 32% of India's best yield. Mizoram produces about 26% of rice it consumes every year, and it buys the deficit from other states of India.<ref name=agristat/>

Mizoram faces difficulties in the advancement of industries. Lack of transport infrastructure is one of the major drawbacks. Other problems faced by the state include shortage of electricity, capital, telecommunication and export market access.

Mizoram has two industrial estates at Zuangtui and Kolasib.<ref name=ibef/> Another software technology park is being established in Mizoram University campus.<ref>{{cite news|title=Northeast's fourth software technology park in Mizoram|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may0612/at0153|access-date=20 August 2012|newspaper=Assam Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716234449/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may0612%2Fat0153|archive-date=16 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The state government has acquired 127 acres of land in Khawnuam for development of the Indo-Myanmar border trade township.<ref name=ibef/>

==Transport infrastructure==

*''Pathlawi'': a young married man who engaged in courtship with girls like unmarried youths, something that was acceptable in traditional Mizo society.<ref name=nepa/>

 

===Domestic tourists===

The state requires Indian citizens to have an [[Inner Line Permit]]. This is available from the [[Liaison officer]], [[government of Mizoram]] in [[Kolkata]], [[Silchar]], [[Shillong]], [[Guwahati]] and [[New Delhi]]. Those arriving by air can obtain a 15-day visit pass at [[Lengpui Airport|Lengpui airport, Aizawl]] by submitting photographs and paying the fee of {{INRConvert|120}}.<ref name=visitmizo>[http://tourism.mizoram.gov.in/page/entry-formalities.html ENTRY FORMALITIES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718021705/http://tourism.mizoram.gov.in/page/entry-formalities.html |date=18 July 2014 }} Department of Tourism, Govt of Mizoram</ref>

===International tourists===

Almost all foreign nationals can get the required Protected Area Permit on arrival, and face the same requirements as domestic tourists. However, they additionally have to register themselves with state police within 24 hours of arrival, a formality that most resorts can provide. Citizens of [[Afghanistan]], [[China]] and [[Pakistan]] and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries are required to get the pass through the Indian consulate or from the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] in New Delhi, before they arrive in Mizoram.<ref name=visitmizo/>

Chakmaland is the proposed Union territory for the predominantly Buddhist [[Chakma people]] in Mizoram. Chakmas have been demanding to convert the existing [[Chakma Autonomous District Council]] in Mizoram into a Union territory.<ref name="auto"/>

In 1996, the government of Mizoram banned liquor. The church leaders (Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee) argue that state government should keep the ban and not seek to amend the law, while others argue prohibition should be lifted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20090606/1269373.html|title=Mizoram Church no to liquor ban Act amendment Aizawl|date=6 June 2009|work=webindia123|publisher=Suni Systems|access-date=25 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524145549/http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20090606/1269373.html|archive-date=24 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it has been difficult to enforce the ban due to the high demand for alcohol.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Mizoram-likely-to-lift-liquor-ban-draft-bill-in-house-soon/articleshow/30206676.cms Mizoram likely to lift liquor ban] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214160447/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Mizoram-likely-to-lift-liquor-ban-draft-bill-in-house-soon/articleshow/30206676.cms |date=14 February 2014 }} The Times of India</ref>

* [[Ziona]] (d.2021) - a polygamous man with 38 wives and numerous children and grandchildren.