Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma participated in a meeting in Aizawl with leaders of two Myanmar-based pro-democracy rebel groups, the Chinland Council and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council, to sign an agreement to merge into the Chin National Council. Sources indicated that the central government was aware and supportive of this official engagement, disputing claims that the meeting was unusual. Critics misrepresented Lalduhoma’s comments made during a US event in September 2024, implying a coordinated attempt to undermine both state and central governments. Additionally, India’s Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project aims to enhance connectivity amid ongoing conflicts between Myanmar’s junta and rebel groups.
Aizawl/New Delhi:
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma participated in an official meeting with leaders from two Myanmar-based rebel groups in Aizawl, in coordination with the central government, as reported by sources within the state government to NDTV today.
According to insiders, some claims labeling the meeting as extraordinary are misleading, emphasizing that it is regrettable to cast doubt on the chief minister without recognizing the broader context.
“The central government is aware. This meeting could only take place with their approval,” one source shared with NDTV over the phone from Aizawl while requesting anonymity.
On February 27, leaders from two pro-democracy rebel groups in Myanmar, the Chinland Council and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), convened in Aizawl and signed an agreement to merge into the Chin National Council (CNC).
During the signing of the agreement, Lalduhoma, local leaders, and representatives from the armed wing of the Chinland Council, the Chin National Army, as well as members of the ICNCC’s Chin Brotherhood were in attendance.
“A meeting of this significance cannot occur without the Centre’s consent. Those criticizing the chief minister and taking jabs at him are missing the bigger picture,” remarked the Mizoram government source.
Comments made by Lalduhoma during a September 2024 event in the US—approved by the Ministry of External Affairs—were also taken out of context. Video clips of his speech circulated without the necessary context, according to Mizoram government sources who spoke to NDTV. It was noted that certain factions were actively working to discredit both the Centre and the state government, sources indicated.
India has been advancing the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), which includes the development of port facilities in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine province, alongside a river transportation system and a road leading to Mizoram.
Sittwe Port was inaugurated in May 2023, despite ongoing conflict between the junta and pro-democracy ethnic rebels.
Analysts suggest that India might be attempting to counter China’s influence, which has brokered peace agreements between the junta and the Ta’ang and Kokang groups in Myanmar’s Shan State, by seeking leverage among the Chin.
However, the Chin community is fragmented, in contrast to the unified Ta’ang and Kokang groups.
Factions located in Myanmar’s Tedim region, adjacent to Mizoram, are likely involved in peace negotiations.
Residents of the Hakha and Falam hill regions established the Chin Brotherhood, which encompasses six Chin rebel factions. Reports indicate that their relationship with the Chinland Council is tenuous.
After the onset of the 2023 rebel offensive, the junta experienced major territorial setbacks, although its airpower has been crucial in stalling the rebels’ progress.