Ist World Zomi Convention,1988

DOCUMENTS
Ist World Zomi Convention,1988

DATED AIZAWL THE 30TH OCTOBER 1988 FIRST WORLD ZOMI CONVENTION Venue : Champhai: Mizoram MAY 19 – 21, 1988 DECLARATION “We, the people of Zo ethnic group, Inhabitants of the highlands in The Chin Hills and Arakans of Burma, The Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, The Mizoram State and adjoining hill areas of India Are descendants of one ancestor. Our language, our culture and tradition, And no, less our social and customary practices Are clear evidences of the ethnological facts. Further, our historical records, And footprints both written and unwritten In the sands of time testify To the truth of our common ancestry. “Much against the interest for preservation, Consolidation and promotion of our ethnic identity, The British colonial rulers after subjugating us During the later part of the 19th century, Exercised the imperialistic policy Of ‘Divide and Rule’. As a result, our ancestral homeland was divided, So were members of the Zo community distributed Like cattle sold and separated. “Adding grave insult to injury, The emergence of the sovereign state Of India, Burma and Pakistan in 1940s Had the administrative fragmentations aggravated And gave birth to deeper agonies of separation For the constitutional laws of respective countries Divided Zo ethnic origin into different nationalities. “For better part of the century, Largely because of our limited outlook Both in terms historical and political, The gravity of our uncertain situation And the danger for our ethnological demise Received no meaningful political response. The genocidal threat of neo-colonialism Against our Zo ethnic survival Still remain ever unredeemed. “Now with political consciousness gaining momentum, And the spirit of nationalism quickening us Come fuller realization of our human rights And of our political prerogatives We cannot but feel burdened With the paramount importance of Zo Reunification For preservation and existence of Zo ethnic identity. “Re-asserting, therefore, our faith and confidence In the code of comity of Nation For redeeming injustices done to Zo ethnic origin, We, the delegates to the First World Zo Convention of Zo Reunification Ethnically enshrined on this day Twentieth Day of the Month of May In the year of our Lord Nineteen Eighty-Eight Upon the alter of Zo Reunification As under: CHARTER OF AGREEMENT I“We solemnly affirm the truth That members of Zo ethnic origin Now living in Burma, India and Bangladesh Are a people of common ancestry Speaking a common language, Blessed with common social, Cultural and religious background, And destined to common political fate and destiny. IIWe sincerely pledge and affirm Solidarity and integration to take on A just struggle for Zo Re-Unification Under one Administrative umbrella In conformity with the resolution of the Chin-Lushai Conference Held at Ford William, Calcutta On January 29, 1892. IIIWe firmly hold the universal truth That our political aspirations for Zo Reunification Regardless of international boundary constraints Are the inalienable rights of all Zo ethnic origin, Further, we solemnly acknowledge the claim For Zo Re-unification to be wholly legitimate. IV“We firmly adopt the principle of non-violence For attaining the Zo Re unification. V“We sincerely appeal to the consciences Of all heads of States and Governments Under whom Zo Communities are citizens respectively To recognize and acknowledge The rightful claim for Zo Reunification. Further, we appeal to one and all Believing in the Universal Human Rights To lend support to the just struggle For Zo Reunification At all levels and at different stages.” ORGANISATION In order to promote the just struggle For Zo Re-unification – I“We solemnly affirm and resolve That a loose political forum Called the “ZO RE-UNIFICATION ORGANISATION” be formed. (And is hereby formed) Further, we resolve that Zo re-unification Organisation (ZORO) Be a forum covering all political parties And Individuals – (i) Acknowledging the rightful claim For Zo Re-unification; (ii) Accepting the paramount importance Of Zo Re-unification Above and beyond party politics, and (iii) Willing to subscribe the ideas and views As may develop time to time Through the forum of ZORO. II“WE affirm and resolve that (i) ZORO as a forum shall not interfere In any local political programmes and activities Of any constituent political party; (ii) No constituent political unit of ZORO In absence of consultation with ZORO Shall organize any local political party activities As may adversely affect the objectives of ZORO; (iii) Any of the political parties Involving and participating in ZORO Shall enjoy the privilege of exercising certain discretions As to form frontal organizations Within the respective party concerned Primarily for promotion of the just struggle For Zo Reunification, and (iv) ZORO, as a forum, shall normally finalise Important policy decisions In matters related directly or indirectly To the just struggle for Zo Re-unification. “WE, the Undersigned, For and on behalf of Zo people, Living and children yet to be born, Look to God in prayer, And seal this document with our signatures. LONG LIVE ZO RE-UNIFICATION.” SIGNED BY 40 DELEGATES REPRESENTING DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS. AND NINETY EIGHT OTHERS. (Source: True Copy)

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Zomi in world war - 2

ZOMI IN WORLD WARS
Zomi in World War-II

The Second World War broke out in the year 1939 in Europe. Japan joined the war and formed an Axis with Germany and Italy. The British defence position in Burma was too weak to check the Japanese advance and so Japan occupied Burma very easily. In May, 1942, the Governor of Burma fled to Simla and established a Burmese government there. The Japanese forces released Vuamthumaung, an anti-British Zomi leader and some members of the Chin Independence Party from the Katha Jail. As soon as the Zomi politicians returned to the Zo country after crossing the dry zone of Burma on foot, they organized the Zomi freedom movement. In the meantime, Japan gave a nominal independence to Burma in 1943. Taking the opportunity the Zomi leaders declared the independence of the Zomi from the British and formed a government with Pu Vuamthumaung as its President.

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Zomi in world war - 1

ZOMI IN WORLD WARS
Zomi in World War-I

World War I (the Great War) broke out in 1914 with Germany, Austria, Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria fighting against England, France, Russia, America and other nations. Britain mobilized all her human resources to add strength to her fighting troops, and she recruited soldiers and non combatants from all her colonies. In 1916, about a million soldiers and half a million non combatants from British India and Burma were sent to Mesopotamia, Iran, France and Turkey. About four thousand Zo young men went to Europe. Their journey from Chittagong, Akyab and Rangoon took them to France, where they evacuated the wounded and loaded and unloaded military supplies going to the front. Each of them, except for those who died on the ship or in Europe, brought enough money home to pay for any bride they chose to marry. The experiences of those who went to Europe were not easily forgotten and in some cases changed beliefs. They were impressed by the war machinery of the Europeans, as the planes, ships and guns were immense developments for the boys from Zo country. They also had endless tales of their adventures and experiences with the French women of the night. Before the Zo young men left for Europe, they had been certain that the sun rose out of the mountain ranges, but when they returned, they were convinced that the sun rose from the ocean. The British demanded a fixed number of young able-bodied men from every clan and village for the French labour camps, and various Naga, Lusei and others joined the force in 1916. During the 1st World War, 2100 young men from Lushai Hills District, 2,000 Nagas and Zomi from Manipur Hills, and 3000 Zomi from the Chin Hills went to France voluntarily as the Allied Labour Corps. But in 1917, more men were demanded, one thousand men from each of the administrative subdivisions of Falam, Haka and Tedim. The Zo people, who had never left their country, feared that their youths would never come back, as was the case with some who had gone earlier. Moreover, the British still resented the collection of arms and slaves by the British.

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