Before Indian independence, the Lushai Hills district and the subsequent Mizo district were ruled by a
Superintendent of the Lushai Hills. After Indian independence, the democratic change in the administrative setup of
Mizoram led to an anti-chief movement. The feeling was widespread against the autocratic chiefs and for the
Mizo Union. In 1955, at a meeting of representatives of various Mizo villages held in
Aizawl, the demand arose for a separate hills state. The local people felt they had been ill-served by the
Assam Government during the
Mautam famine. When in 1960 the government introduced
Assamese as the official language of the state, there were many protests against the Official Language Act of 1961. That was followed by the
March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising, resulting in attacks on the military installations in
Aizawl,
Lunglei and other towns. The
Mizo National Front, formerly known as Mizo National Famine Front, declared independence from India. The Indian government designated Mizoram as a
union territory on 21 January 1972.
Pu Laldenga, the president of the Mizo National Front, signed a
peace accord in 1986 with the Government of India, stating Mizoram was an integral part of India. Pu Laldenga came to the ministry in the
interim government, which was formed in coalition with Congress in 1987. The statehood of Mizoram was proclaimed on 20 February 1987. == Oath as the state chief minister ==