| Mara Autonomous District Council | |
| House Type: | Autonomous District Council |
| Coa Pic: | Mara Autonomous District Council emblem.png |
| Leader1 Type: | Chief Executive Member |
| Leader1: | M. Laikaw |
| Party1: | BJP |
| Election1: | 22 December 2022[1] |
| Leader2 Type: | Deputy Chief Executive Member |
| Leader3 Type: | Leader of Opposition |
| Members: | 28 Councillors (25 elected + 3 nominated) |
| Political Groups1: | Government (15) NDA (15) Opposition (10) Nominated (3)
|
| Voting System1: | 25 plurality voting |
| Voting System2: | 3 nominated |
| Last Election1: | May 2022 |
| Next Election1: | 2027 |
| Meeting Place: | Siaha, Mizoram |
| Website: | https://madc.mizoram.gov.in/ |
Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of India. It covers Siaha subdivision and Tipa subdivision of Siaha district. Primarily, an autonomous administrative government meant for the Mara people living in the state. It is situated at the southern tip of Mizoram state bordering Myanmar. Its autonomy was established and carved out from the erstwhile Pawi-Lakher Regional Council on 29 May 1971 and separated the next year as Lakher Autonomous District Council, and renamed to its current name in 1988.[3] It covers 1445 square kilometres.
The government has jurisdiction over land administration, administration of justice, limited legislative powers, and a few other local powers.[4]
In 1954 the Central and Assam governments established a regional council, the Pawi Lakher Regional Council (PLRC), for the Lakhers (aka Mara) and the Pawis (aka Lai), in which a large number of Chakmas also resided. However, the PLRC could not function properly right from its inception as there was no common communication language among the three tribal communities to understand each other. The first meeting was held without understanding each other’s language where Mizo was used as official language but Chakmas and Maras could hardly understand anything. Consequently, in 1958 the Maras boycotted PLRC meetings. In 1972, to resolve the issue the PLRC was divided into three regional councils and upgraded to 3 district councils for Maras, Lais and Chakmas.[5]
Mara Autonomous District Council looks after many departments in her area including fisheries, schools (up to Middle school) and education, judiciary, land and revenue, forestry, Public Health Engineering (PHE), etc.
Constituencies under Mara Autonomous District Council and their members as of 2022 election:[6]
| Constituency | Councillor | Party | Remarks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tôkalô | M. Laikaw | BJP | |||
| 2 | Phura | H. Malvina | INC | |||
| 3 | Vahia | K. Chhuabei | BJP | |||
| 4 | Laki | T. Seido | BJP | |||
| 5 | Zyhno | L. Prisila | BJP | |||
| 6 | Chapi | C. Chehnei | BJP | |||
| 7 | Chakhei | BJP | ||||
| Albert TT. Sachu | Elected in 2024 by-election[7] | |||||
| 8 | Siata | M. Chiadung | BJP | |||
| 9 | Tisi | Tiahlei Syuhlô | BJP | |||
| 10 | Tipa - I | S. Lalremthanga | IND | Resigned from MNF[8] | ||
| 11 | Tipa - II | Beihu Nohro | BJP | |||
| 12 | Laty | Beirahmo Syhly | BJP | |||
| 13 | Saikao | Beihruakhai | MNF | |||
| 14 | Amôbyuh | N. Zakhai | BJP | |||
| 15 | Amôtlâh | HC. Lalmalsawma Zasai | MNF | |||
| 16 | Noh-aotlâh | Lalrosanga | IND | Resigned from MNF | ||
| 17 | Chhaolô | MH. Tiabi | BJP | |||
| 18 | Siaha North-I | Nahlo Solo | MNF | |||
| 19 | Siaha North-II | M. Manasia | MNF | |||
| 20 | Siaha South-I | Siaha South-I | IND | Resigned from MNF | ||
| 21 | Siaha South-II | N. Viakhu | MNF | |||
| 22 | Siaha East-I | H. Hrangchuanga | INC | |||
| Nelson Khenglawt | MNF | Elected in 2023 by-election[9] | ||||
| 23 | Siaha East - II | HC. Biakcheuva | MNF | |||
| 24 | Siaha West-I | TA. James Riatha | INC | |||
| 25 | Siaha West-II | ST. Vanmalsawmliana | INC | |||
| 26 | Nominated | TBD | NOM | |||
| 27 | Nominated | TBD | NOM | |||
| 28 | Nominated | TBD | NOM | |||
In December 2005, Independent Member of the District Council, Shri. N. Viakhu formally joined Mizo National Front (MNF) to lead a new MADC government formed by MNF with a simple majority. He was severely criticized for his nomination of four MNF workers to MDC nominated seats despite being the CEM of the Cong-MNF coalition government. The nomination allows MNF to enjoy a simple majority (15 - 11); otherwise Cong-MDF combine and MNF were tied at 11 elected members each.
In 2009 the council was led by an independent member of the District Council, Shri. N. Viakhu formed a coalition government with Maraland Democratic Front and Indian National Congress in the 2005 election.
The latest election of MADC had been held in 2022, with the Bharatiya Janata Party winning 12 seats, the Mizoram National Front winning 9, and the Indian National Congress winning 4.[10]
Tourist spots within MADC include