Zo Reunification Organization

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Not to be confused with Zomi Re-unification Organisation.

Zo Reunification Organization
AbbreviationZORO
Formation20 May 1988; 37 years ago (1988-05-20)
Founded atChamphai, Mizoram, India
TypeNon-Governmental Organization (NGO)
PurposeAdvocacy for Zo ethnic group unification
HeadquartersAizawl, Mizoram, India
Region served
India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh
MethodsAdvocacy, cultural preservation, policy representation
Official language
English, Mizo, and other Zo languages

The Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1988 in Champhai, Mizoram, India.[1][2] It advocates for the cultural, social, and political unification of the Zo people, whose ethnic groups are dispersed across Northeast India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.[3][4] The Zo people include various tribes belonging to the Mizos, Chins, Kukis, and Zomis, otherwise known as Chikkim, sharing a common ancestral and cultural heritage but were divided by federal administrations.[5][6][7]

ZORO's objectives include promoting Zo cultural preservation, fostering cross-border solidarity, and representing the Zo people in national and international forums. It also works on socio-economic development and educational initiatives within Zo communities.[8][7]

Inception

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In 1986, the Mizoram Peace Accord was signed and Mizoram attained statehood. The Mizo National Front (MNF), which had previously fought Mizo insurgency, became a political party and won the 1987 election. Thus Mizoram became the first democratic state of the Zo people. T. Gougin, the leader of Manipur's Zomi National Congress (ZNC), had met the MNF leader Laldenga earlier, but the two could not agree on a common name, arguing for "Zomi" and "Mizo" respectively.[9] [a]

In May 1988, a World Zomi Convention was held in Champhai, Mizoram, jointly organised by ZNC and Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), which was now out of power.[10] Some 20,000 people are said to have attended the conference, mostly from Mizoram and Manipur,[9] but also a few delegates from other regions such as Assam, Myanmar's Chin State and Chittagong Hills in Bangladesh.[11] The convention adopted "Zo" as the indigenous name of the entire Kuki-Chin community. The delegates argued that "mi" ("people") is not required in a community name.[11]

The Convention declared the unification of all the Zo people fragmented across nations as one of its goals, and formed an organisation for this purpose under the name "Zo Re-unification Organization".[1][2][b] MPC's leader T. Sailo was elected as the Chairman, T. Gougin and C. Chawngkunga as Vice Chairmen, S. Thangkhangin Ngaihte and Lalhmingthanga as Secretary General, and Thangmawia as Treasurer.[7] The delegates also declared that ZORO would not interfere with the local political programmes of the constituent parties.[14]

Objectives and activities

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ZORO's objectives include promoting Zo cultural preservation, fostering cross-border solidarity, and representing the Zo people in national and international forums. It also works on socio-economic development and educational initiatives within Zo communities.[15]

The organization has actively participated in international platforms to advocate for the rights of the Zo people. Since 1999, ZORO has engaged with the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (UNWGIP) and has been involved with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) since 2004.[7][16] It is a registered participant in the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs.[17] It has also participated in various international conferences, including those organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank, and the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to raise awareness about the Zo people's issues.[18][19][20]

Advocacy and political engagement

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ZORO has been vocal in opposing policies that it perceives as detrimental to the Zo people's interests. In January 2024, the organization opposed the Indian government's proposal to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and install a border fence along the India-Myanmar border. ZORO argued that such measures would disrupt the traditional and familial ties among the Zo people residing on both sides of the border, necessitating passports and visas for interactions that were previously unhindered.[21]

The organization has also responded to ethnic tensions and conflicts affecting the Zo community. Following clashes in Manipur, ZORO organized a rally in Aizawl on 12 July 2023 to protest against the alleged persecution of the Zo people and to advocate for a unified Zo homeland. The rally underscored the organization's commitment to the unity and safety of the Zo ethnic groups.[22]

International peace efforts

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Beyond advocacy, ZORO has played a role in facilitating peace among various Zo-affiliated resistance groups in Myanmar's Chin State. In 2024, the organization was instrumental in organizing peace talks and reconciliation efforts among groups such as the Chin National Army (CNA), the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance (CBA).[23][24] These initiatives aimed to resolve internal conflicts and strengthen unity against the Myanmar military junta.[25]

Organization structure

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ZORO operates from its general headquarters in Aizawl, Mizoram, and has an elected body comprising a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary General, Treasurer, and other officials.[26][27] The organization coordinates with various Zo communities and organizations across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh to execute its programs and initiatives.[23]

Notes

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  1. ^ Zomi means "Zo people" and Mizo means "people of Zo".[9]
  2. ^ Some news items mentioned the name of the organisation as "Zomi Reunification Organisation", possibly based on the name of the convention itself.[10] That confusion persists till this day.[12][13] There is however a quite different organisation called Zomi Reunification Organisation based in Churachandpur, founded in 1993.

References

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  1. ^ a b Nang, Gin Khan (2010), Zomi Christianity and cultural transformation, Fuller Theological Seminary, pp. 241–242, ProQuest 855818510, In order to promote the just struggle for Zo Re-unification:
    (I) We solemnly affirm and resolve
    That a loose political forum
    Called the "ZO RE-UNIFICATION ORGANISATION" be formed...
  2. ^ a b Menon, Ramesh (30 June 1988). "Former chief minister Brigadier Thenphunga Sailo plans to carve new Mizoram state". India Today.
  3. ^ "ZORO memorandum to UN for reunification of all ethnic Mizos". The Times of India. 24 November 2024.
  4. ^ "ZORO meeting addresses conflict between Chin revolutionary groups". Burma News International. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  5. ^ Colney, Kimi (17 July 2024). "Mizoram: Reunification org advocates for Zo people's rights at UN". EastMojo.
  6. ^ Zou, A Historical Study of the 'Zo' Struggle (2010)
  7. ^ a b c d Doungel, Jangkhongam (2014). "Genesis and Functioning of the Zo Re-Unification Organisation (Z.O.R.O.)". SKWC Journal of Social Sciences. 2014: 1–12 – via SSRN. Also available via Zomi Press
  8. ^ Doungel, Jangkhongam (2021). "War of the Zo Ethnic (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) Group for Protection of their Ancestral Land Against British Colonialism with Special Reference to the Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4120141. ISSN 1556-5068.
  9. ^ a b c Zou, A Historical Study of the 'Zo' Struggle (2010), p. 61.
  10. ^ a b "Sailo Leads Movement To Reunify Mizo-inhabited Areas", The Hindu, 29 May 1988 – via JPRS, archive.org
  11. ^ a b Piang, L. Lam Khan (2020), "Contestation of etic categorizations and emic categories: resurgence of Zo ethno-national identity in the Indo-Myanmar borderland", South East Asia Research, 28 (3): 291, doi:10.1080/0967828X.2020.1820900
  12. ^ Das, N. K. (2021), "Indigeneity, Cultural Memory, and Hybrid Identity: Politics of 'Belonging' Among Zomi–Chin-Kuki People of India–Myanmar Borderlands", in A. K. Giri (ed.), Cross-Fertilizing Roots and Routes, Springer, pp. 234–235, doi:10.1007/978-981-15-7118-3_13
  13. ^ Angshuman Choudhury, Northeastern View | Resurgence of Zo reunification demand bares the high costs of New Delhi’s border closure decision, Hindustan Times, 26 May 2024. ProQuest 3060097359
  14. ^ Suan, H. Kham Khan (2011), "Rethinking 'tribe' identities: The politics of recognition among the Zo in north-east India", Contributions to Indian Sociology, 45 (2): 178–179, doi:10.1177/006996671104500201
  15. ^ Singh, Bikash (6 January 2024). "Zo Reunification Organization opposes abolishment of FMR, installation of Indo-Myanmar border fence". The Economic Times.
  16. ^ Vanlalruata, H.C. (4 December 2024). "Mizoram speaker unveils Zo ID card to protect rights of indigenous people". The Times of India.
  17. ^ "United Nations Civil Society Participation – General". esango.un.org. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  18. ^ Lalremruata, Andrew H. (10 September 2010). "Governor inaugurates Zo-Inpui". Government of Mizoram. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Weekly Current Affairs: Tualchhung" (PDF). Zawlbuk Zirna Run (in Mizo): 10. 2024.
  20. ^ "Mizoram: Head of Zo Reunification Organisation R Thangmawia passes away". The Indian Express. 20 July 2015.
  21. ^ "Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) Opposed to Manipur government's "plan to seize tribal territories"". The Mizos. 31 May 2022.
  22. ^ Piang, L. Lam Khan (17 September 2012). "Ethnic mobilisation for decolonisation: colonial legacy (the case of the Zo people in Northeast India)". Asian Ethnicity. 14 (3): 342–363. doi:10.1080/14631369.2012.688670. ISSN 1463-1369.
  23. ^ a b "ZORO convenes talks between Chin Brotherhood and ICNCC". Burma News International. 23 August 2024.
  24. ^ "ZORO meeting addresses conflict between Chin revolutionary groups". Burma News International. 7 August 2024.
  25. ^ Vanlalruata, H.C. (2 July 2024). "Making efforts to unite warring Chin groups in Myanmar to oust junta: ZoRO". The Times of India.
  26. ^ "Zo Re-unification Organisation (ZoRO) Founders". Khalvontawi. 30 September 2024.
  27. ^ "We support and will work towards the unity of Zo ethnic people: ZORO (video)". Khalvontawi. 12 July 2023.
Sources
  • Zou, David Vumlallian (3–9 April 2010), "A Historical Study of the 'Zo' Struggle", Economic and Political Weekly, 45 (14): 56–63, JSTOR 25664306