IT News
Imphal, March 6:
Criticism has emerged over whether Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma sought prior approval from the Government of India before facilitating the merger of two major pro-democracy rebel factions from Myanmar’s Chin state on Indian soil.
According to reports, on February 26, 2025, the Chinland Council (CC) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) merged to form the Chin National Council (CNC) in a ceremony held in Aizawl, Mizoram’s capital. The event was attended by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, representatives of the armed wings of both factions—the Chin National Army (CNA) and the Chin Brotherhood (CB)—as well as members of the Aizawl-based Advocacy Group for Peace.
The merger aims to consolidate resistance efforts against Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup. Jacob V. Zawma, a steering committee member of the CC and coordinator of the negotiating team, expressed optimism that the unification would strengthen the resistance movement and bring stability to the region. He claimed that resistance forces had already seized control of over 80% of Chinland and anticipated complete control soon.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s involvement in the merger has drawn sharp criticism from political observers and civil society organizations (CSOs) from Manipur. Various CSOs have accused him of promoting a “secessionist agenda” aimed at creating a “Kuki-Chin Christian nation” encompassing parts of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. Critics urged the Mizoram Chief Minister to exhibit “better statesmanship” and act as a “good neighbor” instead of fueling “hatred and division” through “unwarranted comments.”
Questions have also been raised over whether Chief Minister Lalduhoma acted under the directive of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or took independent steps in facilitating the Myanmar rebel meeting and subsequent unification agreement. The matter continues to stir debates over India’s role in the region’s geopolitics and its stance on insurgent movements operating across international borders.
