“The adoption of FCAA by the ZPM government has hurt the sentiment of Mizos,” said Mizo National Front president Zoramthanga. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Mizoram’s main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), has on Wednesday (29 October 2025) called for a 10-hour complete shutdown in the entire state-defying Mamit district to protest the extension of the Forest Amendment Act (FCAA), 2023, a party leader said. MNF calls for 10-hour shutdown in Mizoram on October 28 to protest extension of forest law in state
MNF media and publicity cell secretary Lallenmawia Jongte told PTI on Tuesday (October 28) that the strike from 6 am to 4 pm will be observed in all districts except Mamitu due to the upcoming polling center in Dampa on November 11.
During the shutdown, all government and private offices, educational institutions, commercial establishments, among others, will be closed, he said, adding that even vehicles will not be allowed to ply.
However, people and vehicles in emergency services will be exempted from the strike, Jongte added.
According to Mr. Jongte, the party strongly opposed the passage of the FCAA by the State Assembly and urged the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma to withdraw the resolution to pass the law.
Earlier, the MNF had urged the state government to convene a special assembly session to review and withdraw its resolution.
MNF Chief Zoromthanga Claimed that the adoption of Fcaa by the ZPM government has hurt the sentiment of the Mizos.
The People’s Conference Party and the Joint Civic Society of Mizoram (CJM), a coalition of several organisations, extended support to the MNF and called on the public, NGOs and political parties to support the move.
The Mizoram Assembly, in its monsoon session on August 27, passed a resolution to extend the FCAA till 2023 in the state from this year, reversing its earlier resolution passed in August 2023 during the MNF government.
The party argued that under the legislation, the central government could gradually take over land belonging to indigenous people, as the new law allows an exemption from deforestation for “strategic linear projects of national importance and related to national security” within 100 km of international borders.
On September 11, the CJM staged a peaceful demonstration in Aizawl to protest against the bill and called on the state government to withdraw its resolution.
Published – 28 Oct 2025 20:10 IST
