Laldenga

Laldenga Biography

Laldenga was an Indian politician from north-east state of Mizoram, who served as the chief minister of the state. He served as an interim Chief Minister for a term of 2 years during 1986–1988, before a presidential rule was imposed on 7 September 1988. 21 August 1986 - 7 September 1988 was his serving term as chief minister of Mizoram. He is known for guerrilla movement against government demanding separate territory for Mizo people, and is the founder of Mizo National Front. He was the first chief minister of Mizoram after statehood was announced for this union territory in 1986.

He worked as Havildar in the Indian Army and later as Accounts Clerk in the Government of Assam, he rebelled against state government, the severe famine in the Mizo district being one among the reasons. He later founded the regional party, Mizo National Front, he led an agitation for Mizo territory's independence from Indian Union. The guerrilla movement lasted for sixteen years, he spent most of the time in Bangladesh and got captured several times too.

Laldenga was a Mizo politician who was born on 11 June 1927 in Pukpui, Assam in British India. Now his birth place belongs to Mizoram. Worked as a havaldar in Indian army and Accounts Clerk in Government of Assam, he later turned a rebel who led several agitations against government for Mizo people. He served as the secretary of Mizo Cultural Society, founded in the 1950s. The society did relief measures during Mautam famine when government failed to give basic helps. The society was renamed Mizo National Famine Front in 1960 which grew into a powerful political organization later.

During his guerrilla life, Laldenga was arrested on several occasions for his rebellion activities and spent 10 years in exile. When Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India, certain negotiations were made. The official document entitled Mizoram Accord, 1986, Memorandum of Settlement was then signed. Ladenga became an interim Chief Minister, and Mizoram was granted statehood in February 1987. Because of chronic lung cancer, he couldn’t reach new politic heights later. He passed away in London on 7 July 1990. He died on the way to hospital.

Published: January 14, 2019

Updated: January 14, 2019