Dr. C. Lalremruata is an Indian human rights advocate and Indigenous rights activist from Mizoram. He currently serves as the President of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex student organization of Mizoram, and has been the Advocacy Coordinator of the Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF) since 2019.
He founded ZIF in 2009 and served as its Executive Director until 2018. His work primarily focuses on the rights and welfare of the Zo (Mizo) people, with contributions in land governance, sustainable development, and human rights. Over the years, he has represented Indigenous Peoples across multiple international platforms, including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Human Rights Council.
Career
Beyond student organizations, he has been active in civil society. He worked as Coordinator of the Human Rights & Law Network (Mizoram) from 2005 to 2008 and was a member of the Mizoram Committee for Democracy Movement in Burma in 2007. Regionally, he served as the Focal Person for Northeast India in the Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defender Network (2012–2020) and as an Executive Council Member of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (2016–2020).
He returned to central MZP leadership and was elected Vice President of the MZP General Headquarters in 2023.
Leadership in Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP)
The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, formed in 1935, is one of the most influential student organizations in Northeast India. Dr. Lalremruata became a more prominent figure in the organization during the 2020s. He was elected Vice President for the 2023–2025 term and later elected President for 2025–2027.
Under his leadership, MZP has continued its role in advocating for students’ rights, education reform, and preservation of Mizo identity. He has led various campaigns, public engagements, and policy discussions reflecting the organization’s mission.
MZP Presidency (2025–present)
As President, Dr. Lalremruata intensified MZP’s involvement in student affairs, border safety, and educational reforms. In October 2025, the MZP celebrated its 90th anniversary in Aizawl, where he emphasized the organization’s historical role in shaping Mizo nationalism. He highlighted that education and nationalism form the organization’s core identity and must be protected and promoted.
Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Border Issues
Under his leadership, MZP monitored the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. In August 2025, the organization documented a sharp rise in ILP issuance at the Vairengte railway checkpost, with over 2,500 permits issued within 18 days. Under his leadership the organisarion also submitted recomendartions to improve Inner Line Permit system in Mizoram. Dr. Lalremruata voiced concerns about the potential for illegal entry and called for stricter enforcement and proper verification measures.
Educational Initiatives
Dr. Lalremruata worked closely with the state’s School Education and Higher & Technical Education Departments. In October 2025, the Education Minister announced that pending scholarships had been disbursed following MZP’s intervention. Dr. Lalremruata stressed the need for improvements in education policy and pledged MZP’s cooperation to enhance learning standards, school infrastructure, and accountability across the state. He also supported calls for reviewing and improving the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) syllabus to better prepare students.
Founding and Work with Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF)
In 2009, Dr. Lalremruata founded the Zo Indigenous Forum, which advocates for indigenous rights in the region. As Executive Director (2009–2018) and Advocacy Coordinator (from 2019 onward), he led efforts related to land governance, human rights documentation, legal assistance, environmental protection, and youth empowerment. ZIF has partnered with regional and global networks to strengthen indigenous rights frameworks both in India and abroad.
Advocacy and Policy Impact
Dr. Lalremruata played a key role in opposing the Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2019. His advocacy contributed to the Mizoram Government’s official rejection of the bill, which eventually led to its withdrawal. The bill was widely seen as violating protections under Article 371(G) of the Constitution regarding tribal land.
He also successfully organized campaigns to address violations under an Asian Development Bank-funded road project, which resulted in compensation for over 100 affected tribal landowners.
Since 2006, he has been involved in anti-human-trafficking efforts in Mizoram, helping rescue and rehabilitate trafficked Mizo youth.
Participation in International Forums
- Dr. Lalremruata has represented indigenous groups at several important platforms:
- UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
- UN Human Rights Council Sessions
- UN Forum on Business and Human Rights
- UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Regional consultations on environmental and social safeguards
He has contributed to global policy reforms, including the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, ADB Safeguards, and AIIB Policies.
Publications
He has authored and edited several impactful works, including:
- Land Tenure Issues in Mizoram (2016)
- Oil Palm in Mizoram – Challenges for Indigenous Peoples (2016)
- Mizoram Human Rights Report (2009), Editor
- UNDRIP – Indigenous Peoples and a Brief History (Mizo, 2014)
He has also authored academic papers on constitutional issues, geopolitics, borderland governance, sustainable development, climate change, and indigenous rights.
Legacy and Impact
Dr. C. Lalremruata is widely recognized for his leadership of Mizoram’s largest student organization, his founding of the Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF), and his sustained policy advocacy across local, national, and international platforms. His participation in United Nations forums and other global mechanisms reflects his influence in shaping discourse on Indigenous rights and governance.
His contributions have significantly strengthened Indigenous Peoples land rights and elevated tribal issues to both state and international attention. Through his work, he has inspired grassroots mobilization—particularly among Mizo youth—and reinforced the critical role of civil society in public policy. His leadership in student and Indigenous rights organizations has ensured that the concerns of the Mizo people remain visible and relevant in broader policy debates.