Chief Minister Lalduhoma unveils plans for a Mizoram House in Churachandpur to strengthen Zo ties and support Mizo communities in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
September 10, 2025 – In a landmark move to strengthen connectivity and deepen ethnic ties, the Mizoram government has announced a new helicopter service linking Aizawl, the state capital, with Churachandpur in Manipur. Chief Minister Lalduhoma revealed the initiative during a meeting with leaders of the Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) from Mizoram, Assam, and Manipur, highlighting the government’s commitment to easing the severe travel disruptions faced by the Kuki-Zo communities since violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
A Lifeline Amid Ethnic Strife
Since the outbreak of conflict between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo communities, residents of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts have been virtually cut off from Manipur’s capital, Imphal. With road access unsafe and unreliable, many Kuki-Zo residents have depended on Aizawl as a transit hub for air travel—requiring a grueling 143-hour road journey to the nearest airport. The irregular helicopter service run by the Manipur government has proven inadequate, leaving communities isolated with limited access to essential services.
READ: “Supplicant vs. Defiant: Kuki-Zo Bodies Issue Split-Tone Appeals Before PM’s Visit
The proposed Aizawl–Churachandpur service is expected to be a game-changer. By drastically reducing travel time, it will provide not only convenience but also restore dignity, improve access to healthcare and education, and open up economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
🚁✨ From 20 hours on the road to under 1 hour in
the sky!The new Aizawl–Churachandpur helicopter service is more than transport — it’s a lifeline for Manipur’s hill people cut off by conflict. 💙
🌍 Faster. Safer. Hope in the sky.
🔥 Viral Hashtags#HopeInTheSky… pic.twitter.com/W8H9egHgh8
— The Borderlens (@theborderlens) September 9, 2025
Strengthening Ethnic Bonds
The Kuki-Hmar-Zomi of Manipur share deep historical and ethnic ties with the Mizo (Zo) people of Mizoram, all belonging to the larger Zo community. Mizoram’s outreach is therefore more than a logistical solution—it is a reaffirmation of shared heritage.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma also announced plans to establish a Mizoram House in Churachandpur, both a symbolic and practical gesture to foster cultural and social ties. The facility will serve as a hub for collaboration, cultural exchange, and support for Mizo communities in Manipur.
READ: UNC Trade Blockade Threatens to Choke Manipur’s Lifelines Ahead of PM’s Visit
The HSA, which represents Mizo tribes across Northeast India and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai, welcomed these initiatives. Its leaders also praised the recent inauguration of a bailey bridge over the Tuivai River on National Highway-2, connecting Aizawl with Pherzawl and Churachandpur. Constructed in February 2025, more than two decades after the previous bridge collapsed, the project has already eased travel for the Hmar community living along the Mizoram-Assam-Manipur border.
