Aizawl: Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition party in Mizoram, on Tuesday morning paid rich tributes to Laldenga, the founder of the party, on his 39th death anniversary by organising a solemn function at the former chief minister’s memorial stone where he was laid to rest in 1990.Wreaths were laid at the memorial stone by members of Laldenga’s family, MNF leaders, including former chief minister and party president Zoramthanga, and MNF legislators.Zoramthanga said Laldenga sowed the seeds of patriotism in the hearts of the Mizos and deserved to be remembered. He also said the peace accord inked with the Indian govt by Laldenga is the most successful peace accord ever signed in the country, something to be proud of. Laldenga’s daughter Dr. Reenee Lalrinzuali also addressed the gathering.Laldenga spearheaded an armed secessionist movement in 1966 by declaring ‘independence’ from the Indian Union. The guerrilla movement lasted for 20 years till the Mizo Accord was signed on June 30, 1986, after which he became the chief minister of the new state of Mizoram.After his govt fell within 19 months due to defections among the MNF legislators, Laldenga never rose to political arena again due to chronic lung cancer. In early 1990, he received medical treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City.After a three-month therapy, he headed home via Europe. Just after landing at Heathrow Airport in London, he had severe complications and he was taken to Ashford Hospital on July 7, 1990, where he was declared brought dead.His body was flown back to Aizawl on July 11 and was honoured with the first and only state funeral in Mizoram on July 13 and buried at Treasury Square, the heart of Aizawl city.
