Aizawl: The usually bustling Vanapa Hall in the heart of Aizawl, known for film premieres, political rallies, and state ceremonies, turned into a stage of defiance on Thursday. Under a light drizzle and the thick September humidity, hundreds of citizens gathered outside, their placards raised high against the Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023, which the Mizoram Legislative Assembly adopted in August.
The slogans were sharp and uncompromising: “We love our forest, not rare earths” and “We will not sell the land God has given us.” The anger was directed not only at Delhi, but also at the state government that, protesters said, rushed the adoption through the Assembly without adequate debate.
A United Opposition
Among the leaders present was Vanlalruata, President of the People’s Conference (PC) party, who directly linked his party’s stand to the people’s concerns. He told EastMojo, “Today I am here to support the JCM’s effort to oppose the adoption of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly. Under Section 4, Subsection 2, this Act gives absolute power to the central government in Mizoram. Therefore, our party, the People’s Conference, strongly opposes this Act, and we will support any initiative taken to resist its adoption and implementation.”
From the Congress camp, Dr. Lalmalsawma, Treasurer of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), voiced strong criticism of the government’s approach. He said,
“As we all know, the Joint Civil Society, along with NGOs and opposition parties of Mizoram, has gathered here at Vanapa Hall to oppose and demand the revocation of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023, which the government adopted in a very swift manner. Even the opposition MLAs were not informed that this adoption would be taken up in the assembly. In fact, the leader of the opposition and other opposition leaders said they had not received any agenda papers, and without any preparation, the government hijacked the session to push this law through. For Congress, our stand has been very clear from the beginning—in 2023 itself we opposed this Act, and even at the national level, if you see what Jairam Ramesh wrote, our position has always been against it. That stand remains unchanged today. Especially in the context of Mizoram, this is a direct attack on our tribal rights and on Article 371G, which gives us the authority to decide on the transfer and ownership of land. That right has been diluted, and we are absolutely against this.”
Adding a bureaucrat’s perspective, H. Lalbiakzama, retired Home Secretary of Mizoram, argued that the Act essentially strips the state of its authority. “The controversial Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023 is totally unacceptable for the people of Mizoram because, under Section 1, Subsection 2, the whole of Mizoram is effectively brought under its scope. The central government is given the power to decide what areas are of strategic importance and where the security forces or army will be stationed, leaving us with no say in the matter. Under this Act, they are not required to seek any clearance or follow any procedure, we have absolutely no right to object. I hope the central government considers this and makes it safer and more acceptable, especially for the people of Mizoram, since the 100-kilometre radius from the international border will cover the entire state, holding us like a baby in a cradle,” he said.
Students and scholars speak out
Young protesters also took the microphone to voice the concerns of Mizoram’s new generation. Lalawmpuia, a PhD scholar in English at Mizoram University, connected the issue to wider struggles in central India, highlighting the human cost of such policies. He said he was protesting against the FCAA imposed on Mizoram and shared what he had learned from other regions: “I have heard many complaints from the south, where Adivasi communities have had their lands taken, and in some cases, people have even died. The authorities labeled these indigenous people as Maoists. You see, the state imposes the FCAA and uses it to take people’s lands, often handing them over to corporations like Tata. This act is not just about taking land, it encroaches on people’s lives. That is why I am against it.”
Another student, Lalrinfela Royte, who studies Political Science at Mizoram University, described the Act as deeply detrimental to the state’s development. “I believe the Forest Conservation Amendment Act is very harmful to the Mizo people. Since its passage in 2023, we have studied it closely. It allows land use for ‘non-forest purposes,’ but that term is vague and unclear. Passing this Act in Mizoram undermines the future of our people and our state,” he said.
H. Lalnunziri, a research scholar from Pachhunga University College, stressed the existential stakes for the tribal community. She explained that the people of Mizoram are united in opposition to the Act and are striving for its repeal. “We are here to protect Mizoram and our tribal communities. If the central government takes control of land within 100 kilometres from the border, the people of Mizoram will lose their rights entirely. I express my full support to revoke this Act, I am committed to this cause,” she said.
Also Read | Mizoram’s first PPP-model rehab centre records 74% success in addiction recovery
You just read a story that took days to report. Help us keep our reporters on the ground in the Northeast.
Ad-free reading, support and keep important stories alive
Support once (any amount)
Scan to pay via UPI