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

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
26/04/2005
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
No
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.
India-Adivasi Conflicts (1955 - ) (Northeast India) )
Stage
Framework/substantive - comprehensive (Agreement)
Conflict nature
Government/territory
Peace process
51: 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 []

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
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
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

State definition
No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed)
No specific mention.
Constitution's affirmation/renewal
No specific mention.
Constitutional reform/making
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.

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
No specific mention.
Equality
No specific mention.
Democracy
No specific mention.
Protection measures
No specific mention.
Human rights framework
No specific mention.
Civil and political rights
No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights
No specific mention.
NHRI
No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions
No specific mention.
Mobility/access
No specific mention.
Detention procedures
No specific mention.
Media and communication
No specific mention.
Citizenship
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 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
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
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.

The University of Edinburgh