Zoramthanga called the FCAA adoption “unfortunate” and accused the government of betraying the Mizo people’s trust and sacrifices. The Act allows strategic projects within 100 km of the border without forest clearance, which critics say endangers indigenous land rights.
BY PC Bureau
The Mizo National Front (MNF) on Tuesday announced a statewide shutdown on October 29, escalating its protest against the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act (FCAA), 2023, recently adopted by the Mizoram government.
The opposition party warned that the new law poses a grave risk to Mizo land and community rights, as it allows strategic projects within 100 kilometres of international borders without forest clearance — a move the MNF says could gradually erode indigenous ownership.
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The decision was taken at a national executive meeting chaired by party president and former chief minister Zoramthanga, said MNF media and publicity secretary Lallenmawia Jongte. The shutdown is expected to cover the entire state, though the Dampa constituency may be exempt due to its upcoming bypoll on November 11.
Zoramthanga described the government’s decision to adopt the FCAA as “deeply disappointing and hurtful to Mizo sentiment.” He said the MNF had earlier demanded a special assembly session to reconsider the resolution, but the request was ignored.
“This decision disrespects the sacrifices and spirit of the Mizo people. We cannot accept it silently,” he declared.
The Mizoram Assembly passed the resolution extending the FCAA to the state on August 27, overturning a policy of the previous MNF government that had kept the law in abeyance. The move has been criticised by several political parties and civil society groups, who view it as a direct assault on Mizoram’s environmental and cultural integrity.
Earlier, on September 11, the Joint Civil Society Mizoram (JCSM) — a coalition of NGOs — held a mass demonstration in Aizawl, urging the government to revoke the decision.
The MNF said the October 29 shutdown will serve as a “peaceful but powerful message” that the people of Mizoram will resist any law threatening their land, forests, and identity.
