Students and politics constitute an interesting and relevant field of study in social sciences especially in a state where the student sensitisation have just started to emerge and establish itself. It can be traced back to Mizo students’ activities even before independence of India. But the role of students in Mizoram politics has become more important only after the up gradation of Mizoram District Council into Union Territory. The increase of students in number and the influence of political party affected the birth of more students’ unions in Mizoram. 

The first students association called Lushai Students Association (LSA) was established in 1924. The LSA was formed by Mizo students who had studied in Culcutta (Kolkata), Gauhati and Shillong. It is opined that the life span of the first Mizo students association was so short. 

In the month of October 1935, Mizo students of Shillong revived student movement and formed a new association called Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students Association). It seems that they used Aizawl, the capital of the then Lushai hill as their headquarters. However, as a matter of fact, the 27th October, 1935 is being regarded as the rising day of MZP. 

The World War II badly affected the activities of MZP and made it dormant for 5 years. The association was renewed only with effect from 1947. It was reconstituted in 1959. The fading away of peace and tranquility caused by the MNF insurgency and the counter insurgency of Government of India resulted in the silent functioning of the MZP in Mizoram. During this time Mizo students of Shillong formed MZP Joint Headquarters at Shillong in 1968; and also rewrote the constitution.

BRIEF CHRONICLE OF MZP

  1. 1926: Lushai Students Association was formed in Calcutta, Gauhati and Shillong. Unfortunately, the organisation was collapse and not continued exist.
  2. 1935: Lushai Students Association was again newly established in Shillong. R. Buchhawna B.A in-charged President, Lalhmuaka as General Secretary and Hrawva B.A as Treasurer.
  3. 1938:  Published its newspaper 'LSA CHANCHINBU' for the first time.
  4. 1939: World War II effect the association. It cannot exist properly and its newspaper also cannot published.
  5. 1945: When World War II ended, it reformed and the constitution were amendment.
  6. 1946: Lushai Students Association changed its name into Mizo Zirlai Pawl, in short MZP shifted its base from Shillong to Aizawl. The Magazine LSA Newsletter also chanced to MZP Chanchinbu.
  7. 1959: After the shocked of Mautam (famine) MZP was reformed again. At that time it has office in Mizo District Council Office and in Govt. Mizo High School. MZP demanded the Special Scholarship for Mizo Students to the Assam Government. For the first time in Mizoram and to promote mizo literature and songs, MZP organised 'Hla Kutpui' (Song Festival) in Aizawl. Formed the committee of Mizo Vernicular.
  8. 1966: Mizo National Front uprising and Mizo Independent Movement influenced most of MZP leaders. Many leaders jointed the movement. Therefore, the organisation became weak.
  9. 1970s: MZP became strength and biggest organisation in Mizoram. Around 1000 branches in Mizoram and outside Mizoram state, in Mizoram most high school and village run the organisation.
  10. 1973: MZP revive and re-organised Mizo Traditional festival and 'Chapchar Kut'. This festival is one of the most valued festival till today by the Mizo society which is still celebrated today from that time.
  11. 1978: MZP Conference held in Kolasib decided, the extension for the term of MZP Leaders from one year to two years.
  12. 1979: MZP support the MNF-India peace accord. it submitted the memorandum to the Govt. of India regarding peace in Mizoram.
  13. 1981: Protest the selection of non-mizo in state quota of Technical Course. In that movement most of MZP Leaders were arrested and were imprisoned. Protest and demand to abolish Chakma Dictrict Council.
  14. 1982: MZP took an action for peace in Mizoram. The Union Territory Government blame MZP as anti-national and BANNED the organisation. That issued shocked the MZP and it became weakened. But, the organisation ran secretly by a few leaders.
  15. 1985: The new government withdrew the banned of MZP. Northeast Students Coordination Committee (NESCC) organised North East Cultural Festival in Aizawl based MZP. But, MZP cannot function properly. During the banned of the organisation, various students association formed in Mizoram through issue and different purposed.
  16. 1993: 14 August, seven students association meeting decided to demolish their own organisation and amalgamated to MZP and reformed it again. In September special assembly amended the constitution and elected the new leaders. The Constitution added the Affiliation rules for Mizo Tribe-based students organisation and Federal Council System. The NECC also changed the name to NESO.
  17. 1993–1995: Emphasized the theme of (Mizo hnam inpumkhatna) 'Mizo Unification'.
  18. 1994: MZP against the issue to abolish the ILP.
  19. 1995: Proclaimed the Chakma Foreigner Quite Order. Most of Chakma foreigner deleted from electoral roll.
  20. 1996: Organised the issue of Chakma Foreigners. Longmarch from Aizawl to Chawngte.
  21. 1995–1998: Proposed and used the theme of (ram leh hnam humhalh) 'Mizo tribe preservation year'.
  22. 1997: For the first time, MZP General Headquarters fall into 'Adviser Rule'. Constitution amendment and extended the term of elected office bearer to two years. The president can't elected more than one term.
  23. 2002: Organised ZOFEST in Churachandpur for the unification among Zo-hnahthlak of Zofa.
  24. 2007: Demanded to the President of India to apologize to the people of Mizo for their bombing Mizoram.
  25. 2008: The Govt. of Mizoram notified MZP rising day is to be observed as 'Zirlaite Ni' (Students' Day). Anniversary of Mizoram bombing day by the Indian Government during MNF Independent movement was celebrate as "Zoram Ni'.
  26. 2010: Celebrated its Platinum Jubilee.
  27. 2013: MZP main office building, 'MZP PISAPUI' was inaugurated by Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in Aizawl.