Zomi Revolutionary Army facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zomi Revolutionary Army |
|
|---|---|
Participant in Internal conflict in Myanmar
|
|
Flag of the Zomi people, adopted by the ZRA
|
|
| Active | 1997–present |
| Ideology | Zomi Nationalism |
| Leaders | Thanglianpau Guite |
| Headquarters | Churachandpur, Manipur, India |
| Allies | Non-state allies:
|
| Opponents | Non-state opponents:
|
The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) is an armed group that started in 1997. It is made up of people who identify as Zomi. The group was formed because of growing disagreements between different ethnic groups, like the Kuki people (especially the Thadou) and the Paites tribe. This happened in the Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. The ZRA's main organization, called the Zomi Re-unification Organisation, was created earlier in April 1993.
Contents
What is the Zomi Identity?
The idea of a "Zo" identity began after World War II. This identity is for people who speak Kuki-Chin languages. These groups live in Northeast India and Myanmar's Chin State.
In 1946, people in the Lushai Hills district of India (now Mizoram) started to use the name "Mizo," which means "Zo people." In 1953, religious groups in Myanmar's Chin State chose "Zomi" as their main name. This name included many different tribal groups.
In India's Manipur state, a person named T. Gougin formed the "United Zomi Organisation" in 1961. Later, he created the "Zomi National Congress" in 1972.
How the Zomi Re-unification Organisation Started
The Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) was officially formed in April 1993. This happened in Phapian, Kachin State, Myanmar. Leaders from the Tedim Chins and Paites tribes were involved. Their main goal was to unite all Kuki-Zo people. These people were spread across different countries like India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. They wanted everyone to share a single "Zomi" identity.
By 1995, seven Kuki-Zo tribes in Churachandpur district of Manipur joined the ZRO. These tribes had not wanted to be called "Kuki" before. The tribes were Hmar, Zou, Vaiphei, Gangte, Simte, Sukte (also called Tedim Chins), and Paite. The Paites were the main leaders among them. The ZRO celebrates its founding day on February 20 each year, calling it Zomi Nam Ni.
In 1997, the ZRO also created a military group called the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA). This group was meant to protect the tribes under the ZRO from other rival tribes, especially the Thadou Kukis.
History of the ZRA
When the ZRA was formed, there were growing tensions between the Kukis (mostly Thadou-Kukis) and the Zomi tribes. The Kuki–Naga conflict caused many Thadou-Kukis to move to the Churachandpur district. This area was mostly home to Paites before. An armed group called the Kuki National Front (KNF) also started asking for more money from people.
The ZRO and ZRA did not agree with the KNF's demands from the "Zomi" community. They also criticized the KNF for fighting with the Naga group NSCN-IM. The KNF, in turn, thought the ZRA was working with NSCN-IM. A conflict between the Kukis and Zomis started in June 1997 and lasted for a year. The ZRA was not well-armed at first and faced difficulties. Some Paites went to Myanmar, where they worked with NSCN-IM to get stronger and get more weapons. After this conflict, the Gangte and Hmar tribes left the Zomi group. The ZRA then supported itself by collecting money and sometimes taking people for ransom in the Churachandpur district.
New Groups and Agreements
After these early conflicts, both the KNF and ZRA saw new groups form from their members. In 1997, Zou tribes created the Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV). In 2005, the Vaipheis left and formed their own armed group called the United Socialist Revolutionary Army (USRA). The Hmars also formed the Hmar National Army (HNA). Another Paite group called the Zomi Revolutionary Front (ZRF) was also created.
Many of these new groups later joined a Kuki-led group called the Kuki National Organisation (KNO). The Paite-led groups also formed their own larger group called the United People's Front (UPF). All these groups used similar methods to get money and members.
In August 2005, both the KNO and UPF signed a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Indian government. This agreement was updated in 2008 to include the Union Home Ministry and the Government of Manipur. The armed groups agreed to stop fighting and other illegal activities. The government agreed not to attack the groups. The groups also shared lists of their members and agreed to stay in special camps. Their weapons were stored safely, and members received ID cards.
In 2010, the Indian Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, visited a ZRA camp. He promised to start talks about the Zomi people's request for an autonomous (self-governing) state within Manipur. This request has since changed to asking for a self-governing council, similar to the Bodoland Territorial Council.
ZRA in Myanmar
The ZRO was first started in Myanmar, but it seems it didn't have many followers there at first. Around 2010, reports said the ZRA had about 200 fighters, mostly Paites. Some fighters from the Chin National Army (CNA) also joined them.
Around 2020, reports began to mention a ZRA "Eastern Command" in Myanmar's Chin State. It was also reported that the ZRA was attacking the Chinland Defence Force and had allied with the Burmese military government. In January 2022, the ZRA reportedly fought with the Chin National Front and Chin National Army (CNF/CNA) resistance forces. The ZRA lost four fighters in these clashes. The People's Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA) is also said to be using similar tactics against Myanmar's resistance forces. Even though the ZRA publicly supported the resistance, their attacks continued.
ZRA Leadership
The first president of the ZRO in 1993 was Khaijasong Guite (K. Guite). He was from the Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Later, Thanglianpau Guite (also known as Thang Lian Pau or "TLP") became its president.
According to a US government report, Thanglianpau was a leader of the Zomi National Congress in Chin State. He was elected to Myanmar's Parliament in 1990. Later, he was removed from his party and moved to India. The report suggests that Thanglianpau was key to forming both the ZRO and the ZRA.
Where the ZRA Operates
The ZRA mostly operates in areas where Paite, Simte, Vaiphei, Zou, Mizo, Chin, Gangte, Thadou, and other tribes under the Zo umbrella live. These areas are mainly in the Churachandpur district of Manipur and other districts in Manipur. They are especially active in the Singngat area, which is close to Myanmar (Burma). They also operate in border regions of Manipur and Mizoram. It is also believed they operate in Chin State, Myanmar (Burma).
How the ZRA Gets Money
The ZRA reportedly gets money by collecting "protection fees" from local people in the areas where they operate. The ZRA claims that in return for this fee, they protect locals from being harmed by rival groups.
In June 2004, local news reported that the ZRA accused the Mizo National Front (MNF) government in Mizoram of not fully paying ZRA members. These members had campaigned for MNF candidates in Champhai. A well-known opposition leader in Mizoram, Lal Thanhawla, claimed that on June 12, 2004, the MNF owed the ZRA money for "services." He said that because the MNF had not paid, the ZRA started collecting fees from people living in Mizoram.
ZRA Alliances
The ZRA works closely with groups like the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM). The group also has an agreement with the Kuki Liberation Organization (KLO). This agreement promises "full cooperation" to strengthen the ties among the Kuki-Chin-Mizo/Zomi peoples.
The ZRA was once in conflict with the Hmar People's Convention-Democracy (HPC-D). However, the two groups later agreed to "work closely" for the well-being of the people and to achieve their shared goals.
In 2019, the ZRO was reported to be part of the United People's Front. This is a larger group of six or seven ethnic organizations with armed branches that were formed in the 1990s.
Peace Talks
On August 9, 2005, the ZRA announced that they had reached a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government. This agreement was set to last for six months, starting from August 1. The ZRA stated that they saw the Indian government's actions as a positive step. They believed it showed a better understanding of their history and the need for a lasting solution for the Zomi people. Despite this agreement, Indian security forces reportedly carried out operations against the ZRA during the ceasefire period.
ZRA and the Myanmar Civil War
Attacks on Chin Resistance Camps
In late August and early September 2023, the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) reported that two of their soldiers were killed. This happened after the ZRA attacked their bases in Tonzang Township. During the first attack, the CDF was greatly outnumbered, and military equipment was taken.
Thang Suan Mung, a CDF general secretary, told a news site: "Most of the CDF fighters were able to escape with their own guns. But we weren’t able to take the more important drones, heavy guns, and artillery shells."
Another camp was attacked the following week. One CDF fighter was killed, and one rifle was taken. The ZRA had also attacked camps of another Chin resistance group, which is a CDF ally, at least three times.
Important Events
- On June 9, 2005, ZRA fighters attacked a truck in Churachandpur district. The truck was carrying members of the Zomi Revolutionary Front (ZRF). Three ZRF members and one civilian were killed. This attack was in response to the ZRF leaving the ZRA.
- On September 20, 2005, ZRA fighters clashed with other fighters from the Zomi Revolutionary Front. Six people died, and one ZRA member was injured.
- On August 20, 2006, two civilians were killed and four injured. This happened when Indian security forces fired on a group of churchgoers in Churachandpur. The forces mistakenly thought ZRA members were present.
- On January 10, 2010, three ZRA fighters were killed in a clash with fighters from the People's Liberation Army of Manipur. This happened in Tonzang Township, Chin State. One PLA member also died.
- On January 15, 2010, two ZRA fighters were killed in a clash with fighters from the Revolutionary People's Front. This group is the armed part of the People's Liberation Army of Manipur operating in Manipur.
- Between August and September 2023, ZRA members attacked Chinland Defense Force camps in Myanmar.
See also
In Spanish: Ejército Revolucionario Zomi para niños
