Mizoram football fan dies in Silchar

By H. Sangliana

MILESTONE: A civilian posses infront of a memorial stone marking Hmar Martyrs' Day in this undated photo taken somewhere in Mizoram-Manipur border village by E. Varte. Courtesy: Inpui.com

Sakawrdai/Hmarkhawlien: The Hmar community, who are one of the major Mizo tribes, spreading across Mizoram, Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya are gearing up to mark the 21st Hmar Martyrs’ Day on May 16.

Hmar Martyrs’ Day is observed in Mizoram, Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya to commemorate the May 16, 1989 Monierkhal Tea Estate shootout in which  Mizoram-based Hmar Volunteer Cell (HVC) members Lalhmuoklien (Sakordai) and Lienhmingthang (Sartuinek) were killed by Mizoram Armed Police cadres in cold blood. However, the HVC members were not the only one to lost their lives. Three MAP personnel were also killed in the ‘encounter’. That event was said to be the one of the crucial factors for the birth of the Hmar People’s Convention which later signed a peace deal with the Government of Mizoram.

Reports coming from villages under Sinlung Hills Development Council and those in Manipur said that games and sports will be one of the major attractions of this year’s Martyrs’ Day.

“Our village (Saipum under SHDC) is trying to observe the day with full dedication,” said Thlira. Another villager C. Thangngur also said that the day is “very important for Hmars, especially for those who have lost their loved ones.”

In Manipur and Assam, the Hmar Students Association members are also gearing up to observe the day. The main event will be held at Hmarkhawlien and Muolhoi in Assam and Shillong in Meghalaya.

It may be recalled that, for the first time, May 16 was decided to observed as Martyrs’ Day in December 1989 during Hmar People’s Convention conference held at Hmarkhawlien in Assam.Till 1990, only the HPC members took part in such the event. And in 1991, directives were issued by the HPC in Mizoram’s Sinlung Hills Development Council for everyone in the area to follow and attend the event held in the villages.

It was only in 1992, the Hmar community as as whole started observing Martyrs’ Day on May 16 to pay respects to all the departed activists who laid down their lives fighting for the rights and privileges of the community irrespective of the state boundaries.

Since the Sinlung Peace Accord, Hmar Martyrs’ Day has been observed in SHDC areas and elsewhere. The day is usually marked by one minuted of silent prayer followed by speeches encouraging the people to lead a respectable and dignified life. Yet, the most awaited moment is always the Martyrs’ Trophy when local football teams compete.