Newmai News Network
Aizawl | May 16
Along with rest of the Hmar community in different parts of India, the Hmar people in Mizoram today observed the 26th Hmar Martyrs’ Day across the state to pay homage to the heroes who have lost their precious lives for the cause of the Hmar tribe.
In Aizawl, the Martyrs’ Day observation was held at I & PR Auditorium where many people gathered to remember and commemorate the sacrifices made by the Hmar Volunteers in their fight for Autonomous District Council in Mizoram.
Orgnaised by Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC), the 26 edition of Hmar Martyrs’ Day was graced by Hmingchungnunga, Chairman, SHDC and Lalfela Sailo, Secretary, SHDC as special guests.
Speaking on the occasion Hmingchungnunga, former rebel leader of the erstwhile HPC and sitting chairman of SHDC said the martyrs’ day was not only important for the Hmar people alone, but also all the people living in SHDC area since the martyrs have laid down their lives for the betterment of the people of this area.
He said that although the SHDC budget was insignificantly meager due to the financial crisis prevailing in the state, he has taken relentless efforts to bring development in SHDC area.
He added the SHDC has over the years been pursuing development works at various villages in Hmar dominated area in Mizoram which were worth mentioning than the development obtained from MLA funds.
He said that initiatives have also been taken to upgrade SHDC to elected council.
Apart from Hmingchungnunga, several leaders from the Hmar community including former rebel leaders also addressed the martyrs’ day observation and many popular singers from the Hmar community also mesmerized the gathering crowd with their numbers on the occasion.
The Hmar Martyrs’ Day was also observed with great reverence in SHDC area and different parts of North East India- Manipur, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya and also in some Indian metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore. In Manipur the main commemorative event was held in Churachanpur during the closing ceremony of the Martyrs’ trophy (football tournament). There was an eye-catching demonstration of traditional dances featuring the heroic conduct of the Hmar men prior to the kick-off, while the players, officials and the crowd that gathered on the occasion paid homage to the departed souls.
It is worth mentioning that every Hmar households have their traditional shawls flying within their respective compound the entire day to mark their observance of Hmar Martyrs' day.
With the political consciousness of Hmar living in Northern Mizoram that they have been relatively denied of what their brother Lai, Mara and Chakma dominantly living in southern Mizoram had owned-Autonomous District Council, the politically conscious Hmar leaders in Mizoram started an organization called Hmar Association (HA) on July 3, 1986 in Aizawl which was renamed as Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) in Sakawrdai on September 22, 1986 for the sole purpose to deal with and asked for Autonomous District for the Hmars inhibited area in Mizoram to the Mizoram Government.
After so many futile attempts to the Mizoram Governor and its Government, the HPC turned to the Central Government for help.
On the contrary to what they asked and expected, the central government instructed the Mizoram government to give more proper attention to the educational system of the Hmar inhibited areas. After Lal Thanhawla became the Chief Minister of Mizoram on January 21st , 1989 the Hmars once again met up with him for the same issue, but to no avail.
