Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Mizoram and the Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF)

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Country/entity: India
Mizoram
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Mizoram and the Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF)
Date: 26 Apr 2005
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
India-Adivasi Conflicts (1955 - ) (Northeast India)
Several of seven sister states in Northeast India have had ongoing conflicts with the central Indian government, as well as among themselves following India's independence from the British Empire in 1947. Northeast India, in particular, lags behind the rest of India in infrastructure development. Tensions also exist between the various ethnic groups and Indian nationals migrated from elsewhere.

Bodoland:
The Bodo are a predominantly Christian group of about four million people living in the mountainous region of eastern Assam, India. Since 1986, the guerrilla organization – the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) – fought for independence of Bodoland. An initial truce was signed in 1989 and negotiations began with the Assam government. However, the NDFB resumed the conflict and new attempts to reach a peace settlement have not been successful. In 2005, a faction of the NDFB entered negotiations and signed a ceasefire agreement after suffering heavy losses. This splintered the NDFB and more radical factions that continue to fight.

Darjeeling:
Gorkhas in the state of West Bengal waged a guerrilla war against the central government from 1986-1988. Anti-foreign riots started in 1979 after a steady infiltration of Hindus and Muslims from other parts of Bengal. Tensions continued until the Accord of Darjeeling peace agreement was concluded in 1988. This accord provided for an autonomous Gorkha district around Darjeeling, which would remain part of West Bengal. It was implemented in The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (Amendment) Act of 1994. After 2007, a second wave of enthusiasm for Gorkhaland was revived by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, however, this time by non-violent means. Nonetheless, the introduction of Bengali into schools, raised tensions in a Nepali-speaking region and as of 2017 conflict appears to be increasing.

Hmar:
Tension in Mizoram were primarily due to political domination by the Assamese over the Mizo. The Mizo National Front was formed in 1961 in the aftermath of a devastating famine in the Mizo Hills in objection to Indian Government response, or lack of. With popular support the MNF staged an uprising in 1966, but was unable to take control. It was only in 1986 that a peace accord was signed granting Mizoram statehood and the MNF became a political party. The same year the Hmar People's Convention was formed as a political party advocating for the rights of the Hmar which were ignored by the 1986 peace accord. The movement aimed to create an autonomous state in the north of Mizoram. A 1994 agreement between the HPC and Indian government resulted in the formation of the Sinlung Hills Development Council. However, a splinter group - the Hmar People's Convention-Democracy - was formed in 1995 demanding a separate administration.

Manipur:
The Manipur insurgency is linked to national, ethnic and political identity issues that occupy many of the conflicts in India's northeast that emerged following the independence of India in 1947. Among the largest groups are the United National Liberation Front, the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the People's Liberation Army of Manipur, and the Kanleipak Communist Party. The conflict continues as of 2017.

Nagaland:
The exception is Nagaland, wherein tensions predate 1947 and the Nagas announced their intention to declare independence from Britain. Indian authorities moved troops into the region in 195. Nagaland was eventually declared a state in 1963 and an agreement, the Shillong Accord, was signed between the Naga National Council and Indian Government in 1975. In 1980 the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed due to dissatisfaction with the Shillong Accord with the aim of Naga independence. It split into two factions in 1988. Over 80 rounds of peace talks from 1999 onwards led to little until the signing of the Naga Peace Accord in 2015.

Tripura:
Tensions emerged in Tripura between Bengali-speaking settlers and local ethnic groups during the 1970s. In 1989 the National Liberation Front of Tripura was founded followed by the establishment of the All Tripura Tiger Force the next year. Whilst the Christian NLFT seeks independence from India, the Hindu ATTF's sole goal is the expulsion of all Bengali-speakers from the state.
Stage: Framework/substantive - comprehensive
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: India-Hmar-Bodoland peace process
Parties: SURYAMONI President, BNLF
H.V.LALRINGA, Chief Secretary Govt, of Mizoram
Third parties: -
Description: Agreement bringing an end to the conflict between the Government of Mizoram and the BNLF whereby the BNLF agrees to lay down arms and dissolve, and the government puts in place new forms of development.

Agreement document: IN_050426_Memorandum of Understanding.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: Groups→Indigenous people→Substantive
Page 2, 7.
The Government of Mizoram will take steps for changing Reang to Bru in the Scheduled Tribe List.

Page 2-3, 8.
After BNLF lay down their arms and join the mainstream, the state Goverrunent will take all necessary steps to accelerate the pace of development in western belt of Mizoram covering all Bru settlements. The Special Development Project will be implemented depending upon the quantum of financial assistance received from the Central Goverrunent. The Government of Mizoram shall continue to work for the socio - economic upliitment of the Bru people living in different districts of Mizoram.

Page 3, 10.
The Government of Mizoram agrees to take necessary measures for inclusion of eligible Bru voters in the Electoral Roll with due process of law after they are resettled inside Mizoram.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 1, 1.
...The Government of Mizoram on its part agrees to take back genuine Reangs from Tripura refugee camps.

Page 2, 5.
Rehabilitation and resettlement of the BNLF returnees and their family members will be carried out as per scheme prepared separately. The BNLF returnees will be accommodated at Tuipuibari rehabiUtation camps for a period not exceeding three months.

Page 3, 9.
The scheme of reception, rehabilitation and resettlement of repatriated Reang refugees will be implemented after the BNLF lay down their arms.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: Page 2, 5.
Rehabilitation and resettlement of the BNLF returnees and their family members will be carried out as per scheme prepared separately. The BNLF returnees will be accommodated at Tuipuibari rehabiUtation camps for a period not exceeding three months.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: Page 3, 10.
The Government of Mizoram agrees to take necessary measures for inclusion of eligible Bru voters in the Electoral Roll with due process of law after they are resettled inside Mizoram.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 2-3, 8.
After BNLF lay down their arms and join the mainstream, the state Goverrunent will take all
necessary steps to accelerate the pace of development in western belt of Mizoram covering all Bru settlements. The Special Development Project will be implemented depending upon the quantum of financial assistance received from the Central Goverrunent. The Government of Mizoram shall continue to work for the socio - economic upliitment of the Bru people living in different districts of Mizoram.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 1, 1.
The BNLF agrees to lay down their arms and ammunitions and come overground to lead normal life as law abiding citizen...
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 1.
The BNLF agrees to lay down their arms and ammunitions and come overground to lead normal life as law abiding citizen...

Page 1, 2.
With the signing of agreement and immediately after laying down of their arms and ammunitions, the BNLF shall stand automatically dissolved and shall cease to exist.

Page 1, 3.
The BNLF will make a complete inventory of their arms and ammunitions and other equipments will be held at Tuipuibari in Mizoram.

Page 1, 4.
After signing this agreement, the BNLF will neither recruit new members nor assist any other insurgent or underground outfit in the form of weapons, money or other assistance directly or indirectly.

Page 2, 5.
Rehabilitation and resettlement of the BNLF returnees and their family members will be carried out as per scheme prepared separately. The BNLF returnees will be accommodated at Tuipuibari rehabiUtation camps for a period not exceeding three months.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 2, 6.
The Government of Mizoram will grant amnesty to all those BNLF cadres having criminal cases inside the state. It shall also request other neighbouring state governments to do likewise in respect of those BNLF cadres who have been convicted and kept in jails outside Mizoram.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/92967/17/17_appendix.pdf

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

OF MIZORAM AND BRU NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (BNLF) -

The main points of agreement between the Government of

Mizoram and BNLF are -

1. The BNLF agrees to lay down their arms and

ammunitions and come overground to lead normal life

as law abiding citizen.

The Goverrmient of Mizoram.

its part agrees to take back genuine Reangs from

Tripura refugee camps.

2. With the signing of agreement and immediately after

laying down of their arms and ammunitions, the BNLF

shall stand automatically dissolved and shall cease to

exist.

3. The BNLF will make a complete inventory of their arms

and ammunitions and other equipments will be held at

Tuipuibari in Mizoram.

4. After signing this agreement, the BNLF will neither

recruit new members nor assist any other insurgent or

undergroimd outfit in the form of weapons, money or

other assistance directly or indirectly.

347

5. Rehabilitation and resettlement of the BNLF returnees

and their family members will be carried out as per

scheme prepared separately.

The BNLF returnees will

be accommodated at Tuipuibari rehabiUtation camps for

a period not exceeding three months.

6. The Government of Mizoram will grant anmesty to all

those BNLF cadres having criminal cases inside the

state.

It shall also request other neighbouring state

goverrmients to do likewise in respect of those BNLF

cadres who have been convicted and kept in jails

outside Mizoram.

7. The Government of Mizoram will take steps for

changing Reang to Bru in the Scheduled Tribe List.

8. After BNLF lay down their arms and join the

mainstream, the state Goverrunent will take all

necessary steps to accelerate the pace of development in

western belt of Mizoram covering all Bru settlements.

The Special Development Project will be implemented

depending upon the quantum of financial assistance

received from the Central Goverrunent.

The

Government of Mizoram shall continue to work for the

348

socio - economic upliitment of the Bru people living in

different districts of Mizoram.

9. The scheme of reception, rehabilitation and resettlement

of repatriated Reang refugees will be implemented after

the BNLF lay down their arms.

10. The Government of Mizoram agrees to take necessary

measures for inclusion of eligible Bru voters in the

Electoral Roll with due process of law after they are

resettled inside Mizoram^.

The Government of Mizoram and the Bru National Liberation

Front have accepted the above points on this day of 26* April, 2005.

SURYAMONI H.V.LALRINGA

President, BNLF Chief Secretary

Govt, of Mizoram

349