One of the 29 states of India, Mizoram is located in the north-east of the country on the border with Myanmar. In the colonial period, this territory was a part of Assam with a special status of the border area. After India gained independence, the indigenous population of Miso began to struggle for the establishment of their state. The insurgency continued even after 1971 when due to the reorganization of the north-eastern territories of India, Mizoram was granted the status of a union territory. The government was forced to negotiate; as a result, in 1986 Mizoram eventually was recognized a state.
The title group is the Mizo people, which make up the overwhelming majority of Mizoram's population (approximately 75%). Mizo language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family; consequently, linguistically the titular group differs considerably from the majority of the country who speaks Hindi. Mizo are Christians, their proportion in the state is 87%. In addition to Mizo, other mountain tribes live in the province, the largest of them are Chakma, Lai, Maro, Hmar. For some of them, specific autonomous districts have been established.
For decades the separatist Mizo National Front was active in the region. In 1986, the central government signed the peace agreement with and MNF, which afterward transformed itself into a political party, and the armed struggle ceased. In this regards, Mizoram is often portrayed as a positive example in resolving ethnic conflicts, especially in comparison with other states of Northeast India. Problems, however, persist because of Mizo's domination over other minorities in the province and infringements over other minorities' rights. For example, Khmara people struggle for their rights for many years.
