The Mizos had never been conquered or subjugated until the British occupation of 1895. At the threshold of India Independence, their representatives chose integration with free India imposing the condition, inter alia, that the Lushai will be allowed to opt out of Indian Union when they wished to do so, subject to a minimum period of ten years. Not able to feel at home in India, their only aspiration became the creation of Mizoram, free and sovereign to govern herself and work out her destiny. Nationalism and patriotism inspired by political consciousness and the cry for political self-determination prompted the declaration of Independence under Laldenga and other fifty-nine MNF leaders on 1st March, 1966. The Mizo District was declared a disturbed area. Though martial law not officially declared, the responsibility of law and order was given in the hands of the Army, a state of emergency declared, grouping of 109 villages in 18 centres within 49 days implemented and the Government also resorted to Jet fighter bombing of its own citizens. What followed was an era of serious human and civil rights violation, mass migration, monumental loss of life and property-the darkest age in the known history of the proud Mizo tribe.
