Mizoram is small state on the edge of Assam, bordering Tripura, Bangladesh and Burma. It is a state Inhabited by a group of tribes, which felt they, were ‘different’ from India. This thinking resulted in a Mizo uprising against Indian rule. One facet of this uprising was the fact that most Mizos were Christian and thus felt they would be better of being independent.
Seeds of the Insurrection
The seeds of this alienation lay in the British rule over this area. The British kept the tribal’s insulated from the mainstream India and enforced ‘inner line permits for visitors who wanted to visit these areas. The permits were to be signed by the deputy commissioner. This resulted in an insular Mizo state and people. In addition the development in this state was minimal and thus the area was ripe for an armed insurrection.
The Revolt
This armed struggle duly commenced in 1966 and the capital Aizwal was taken over briefly. But an air strike was carried out by the Indian Air Force, which used the Toofani fighter bombers from Khumbigran air base. The Indian army also moved into Mizoram.
The rebellion was spearheaded by the Mizo National front. After some initial success the MNF failed to inspire the common Mizo tribesmen in their fight with the Indian army. In addition the use of the IAF for air strikes had a salutary effect and the MNF lost heart. In fact the use of the IAF in Mizoram is the only single case of the IAF carrying out operations against its own people. But again, this use of air power certainly vindicates Douhet.
Defeat of the MNF
The MNF could not stand the force of the Indian army and looked for a face saving way out. Though the MNF had moved its headquarters to the Chittagong hills, it continued to lose popular support. The Mizo Union leaders blamed the MNF for the causalities and condemned the armed struggle. In all this carnage one man Pu Laldenga and his role needs to be analyzed. He started as the leader of the MNF and advocated an armed struggle.
The defeat of Pakistan led to his his escape to England, but Laldenga could not galvanize the Mizos. He visited China as well, but relentless pressure on the MNF by the Army took its toll and he decided to give up the insurrection and ended the fight with the Indian union after a peace accord with Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. He became chief minister of the state of Mizoram as a part of the Indian union.
Last Word
There is no doubt that the defeat of the Mizo rebellion shows what air power and quick military action can achieve. The Mizo rebellion is a classic case study and needs to be looked afresh by the US Army and others fighting in Afghanistan.
References.
Making of Mizoram: role of Laldenga by Suhas Chatterjee MD Publications