C. Chhunga
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Ralte Chalchhunga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Chief Minister of Mizoram | |
| In office 3 May 1972 – 10 May 1977 | |
| Lieutenant Governor | S. P. Mukherjee S. K. Chibber |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Thenphunga Sailo |
| Constituency | Kolasib |
| President of Mizo Union | |
| In office 4 March 1952 – 28 October 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Thanhlira |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Thanhlira |
| President of Mizo Union | |
| In office 9 October 1955 – 8 october 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Thanhlira |
| Succeeded by | H.K. Bawichhuaka |
| President of Mizo Union | |
| In office 4 March 1964 – 1 October 1971 | |
| Preceded by | H.K. Bawichhuaka |
| Succeeded by | Ch. Saprawnga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chalchhunga November 12, 1922 Demagiri, Mizoram |
| Died | 24 August 1988 (aged 65) |
| Political party | Mizo Union |
| Spouse |
Lalrothangi (m. 1948) |
| Children | 11 |
| Residence | Aizawl |
| Nickname | Lawrence Ch. Chhunga |
Lawrence Ralte Chalchhunga also known as Ch. Chhunga[a] (1922–1988) was the first Chief Minister of Mizoram, a state in northeast India. He served as a member of the Mizo Union, from 1972 to 1977.
Early life
[edit]Ch. Chhunga was born on 12 November 1922 at Tlabung. He was the only son of C.L. Thianga and Vanthangpuii. He studied in Kolasib for lower primary before settling in Aizawl for Boys' Middle English School. He studied in Shillong in 1938 at St. Anthony's High School. During his study, the outbreak of World War II prompted Chhunga to enlist in the Royal Indian Navy as a wireless Operator in July 1941.[1] Under the pressure of his parents, Chhunga attempted to leave the military and was discharged after purposely failing all his exams. He continued his education at St. Anthony's and completed matric in 1943. During his studies, he fraternalized with other tribal students and formed the Hill Students' Union and became politically active.[2]
Political life
[edit]Chhunga showed interest in the newly formed Mizo Union party with his friend H. Vanthuamawere. However, his father's expectations encouraged him to continue studying.[2] In the Mizo Union General Assembly of 1951, Chhunga was elected as President of the Mizo Union.[3]
Following the Mizo District Council elections on 4 January 1952, Chhunga was instructed to contest the seat of the North Vanlaiphai constituency.[3] Chhunga declined and contested the Aizawl-Lunglei consituency against Pachhunga of the United Mizo Freedom Organization. Chhunga lost to Pachhunga with 787 votes to his 860. However, the Mizo Union succeeded overall and won 17 consituencies out of 18. As a result, Chhunga was reelected as President of the Mizo Union party in 26-29 February 1952 during the assembly.[4]
Following the resignation of Raymond Thanhlira due to nomination to parliament a bye-election was held in 1952. The nomination committee selected Chhunga as the Mizo Union candidate. Chhunga was in Silchar completed his Bachelor of Arts. He had been nominated by Lalbuia, his agent, and this was a breach of nomination hence rejecting his candidacy. Lalbuia, who was uncontested, became the Member of Legislative Assembly. Upon Chhunga's arrival, Lalbuia offered to resign and let him become the MLA. However, Chhunga refused.[5]
In the 1957 Mizo District Council election, Chhunga contested against Pachhunga once more.[4]
Chhunga was the Chief Executive Member of Mizoram District Council, The United Mizo Parliamentary Party, a coalition of Mizo Union and Congress Party and dominated the 1971 Village Council elections by winning 66 of the 158 Village councils.[6] Chhunga was appointed the President of the Mizo Union in the 1952 General Assembly as the people preferred a young man instead of the much senior Bawichhuaka. Chhunga held the Party president's post for 14 years during the 28 years of Mizo Union Party. Chhunga won election in Kolasib (Vidhan Sabha constituency) and was appointed the Chief Minister of Union Territory of Mizoram by SP Mukherjee, the First Lt Governor of Mizoram on 3 May 1972.[7] Chhunga was instrumental of merger of Mizo Union with the Indian National Congress. The Mizo Union being a regional party depended on the center for funds and preferred to join with the Indian National Congress.[8] Chhunga was instrumental in Mizoram getting State status. He negotiated for separation of Mizoram District from Assam state.
Later life
[edit]Chhunga married Lalrothangi in 1948. He had 11 children and named them with the prefix "Chal".[3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ variation of R.C. Chhunga for Ralte Chalchhunga
References
[edit]- ^ Mate 2017, p. 133.
- ^ a b Mate 2017, p. 134.
- ^ a b c Mate 2017, p. 135.
- ^ a b Mate 2017, p. 136.
- ^ Mate 2017, p. 137.
- ^ C. Nunthara (1996). Mizoram: Society and Polity. Indus Publishing Company.
- ^ Bareh, Hamlet (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram. Mittal Publications.
- ^ Chatterjee, Suhas (1994). Making of Mizoram: Role of Laldenga, Volume 2. Vijay Gupta. ISBN 9788185880389.
External links
[edit]- Mate, S, Haukhanlian (2017). "Ch. Chhunga: A typical Mizo Political Leader". Historical Journal Mizoram. XVIII (1). Retrieved 22 October 2025.
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