𝗠𝗡𝗙 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯.

The Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram’s main opposition party, on Tuesday, October 7 called for a statewide total shutdown on October 29 to protest the adoption of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA), 2023 by the state government.

The MNF’s stance reflects concerns that the new law could gradually undermine the land rights of indigenous communities. Critics allege that the amendment — which exempts a 100-kilometre zone along international borders and allows the government to undertake “strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security” without prior forest clearance — poses a direct threat to Mizo land and heritage.

The decision for the shutdown was taken at a meeting of the MNF national executive, chaired by party president Zoramthanga, according to Lallenmawia Jongte, MNF media and publicity cell secretary. The planned complete shutdown will be implemented across the state, with a possible exemption for the Dampa Assembly constituency in view of the upcoming bypoll on November 11.

Zoramthanga described the state government’s decision to adopt the FCAA as “unfortunate” and reiterated his party’s strong opposition to the law. “The adoption of the FCAA hurts the sentiment of the Mizos and insults their martyrdom. We will strongly oppose it,” he asserted