Bru repatriation from Mizoram to Tripura picking up speed

Aizawl/Agartala, Dec.1 : The much-awaited repatriation of tribal refugees from six camps in North Tripura to Mizoram has begun.

Two hundred and sixty five refugees returned to their homes on two consecutive days last month.

Over 31,000 Reang tribals, locally called Bru, were displaced from Mizoram in 1997 following violence directed towards them, and now thirteen years late, Bru families, staying at Tripura’s Ashapara and Naisingpara refugee camps, have been relocated at Kolalian village of Mamit district in Mizoram.

The governments in Tripura and Mizoram, and representatives of the Bru Displaced People’s Forum are working jointly to ensure a smooth repatriation of these refugees.

“We the executive committee of MBDPF on the good side of the Government of India, the state governments of Tripura and Mizoram extend full cooperation to Center and the state governments in sending 53 families as token of our willingness to go to our homeland, said A. Shawibunga, the president of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum.

The Tripura Government has been providing free transportation facilities up to the Tripura-Mizoram border so that Bru families return to their native place. The Government of Mizoram would reimburse the transport expenses,” said D.K. Chakma, the sub-divisional magistrate of Kanchanpur.

During a visit to Aizawl in May this year, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had asked the Mizoram Government and tribal leaders to repatriate all Reang tribal refugees to their ancestral villages.

The Mizoram Government has said that it would provide Rs.80, 000 to each repatriated refugee family for house construction and farming assistance.

It will also provide free rations to the displaced tribals for a year, adequate security and financial assistance for the `Jhum cultivation’.

Jhum or Jhoom cultivation is a local name for slash and burn agriculture practiced by tribal groups in the north-eastern states of India like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, as also in several districts of Bangladesh like Khagrachari and Sylhet.

The system involves the clearing of a piece of land by setting fire or clear felling and using the area for growing crops of agricultural importance such as upland rice, vegetables or fruits.

After a few cycles, the land loses fertility and a new area is chosen.Most farmers make huts near their land for shelter. Jhum cultivation is most practiced on the slopes of hills in thickly forested landscapes.

The cultivators cut the treetops to allow sunlight to reach the land. They burn all the trees and grasses for clean and fresh soil; it is believed that this helps to fertilize the land, but can leave it vulnerable to erosion.

Later seeds and crops are planted. Plants on the slopes survive the rainy season floods.

Refugees returning home are happy and look forward to a better future.

“I am returning to my home along with my baby and I am very happy. My father is staying back at the camp. I am happy to return,” said Shairati Reang.

Bru refugees are living in six evacuee camps in the Kanchapur sub-division of North Tripura bordering Mizoram.

It is expected that their early repatriation will help maintain peace and stability in the region.

READ MORE - Bru repatriation from Mizoram to Tripura picking up speed

Dhaula Kuan gangrape: Sketch of third rapist released

New Delhi, Dec 1: The sketch of the third accused, who allegedly raped a 30-year-old BPO employee in Dhaula Kuan on November 24, was released by the police today.

Police had released two other sketches on November 26 and 27 respectively. The sketch, made by the State Crime Record Bureau of the Delhi Police, has been made on the basis of interrogations held with both the victim and her colleague, who had a lucky escape from the clutches of the criminals and other witnesses, an official said. As the victim and her colleague are gradually coming out of the trauma, the police is able to draw the sketches, an official said. On the basis of earlier sketches, police had detained four people yesterday and interrogations with them were on. The victim, hailing from Mizoram, was kidnapped by five drunken men near Dhaula Kuan and gangraped for over 40 minutes in a moving vehicle. She was forced into the vehicle near Nanakpura Gurdwara and found in a semi-conscious state in Mongolpuri Industrial Estate.

Reportedly, the description of the accused by the victim to the police, suggested that they could either be involved in construction work, driving, cleaning or mining work. One of them was of lean built and had tied a loose cloth on his head.

READ MORE - Dhaula Kuan gangrape: Sketch of third rapist released

Breakthrough in Mizo woman rape case soon: Chidambaram

New Delhi: The Delhi Police is expected to get a breakthrough very soon in the case of abduction and rape of a Mizo woman in south Delhi, Home Minister P Chidambaram said and regretted the incident.

"I am sorry for what happened in 5-6 days ago. Contrary to press reports, I think they (police) are pretty close to apprehending the suspect," he told reporters here.

The Delhi Police yesterday had said that 15 teams were working on the case and they were looking into all aspects. Police have also detained four persons who have criminal background and was looking at all possibilities.

On November 24, the victim, a BPO employee, was walking towards her home in Moti Village near Dhaula Kuan in the morning along with one of her colleagues when some men in a vehicle abducted her and took turns to rape her. She was later dumped in Mongolpuri.

The incident led to protests from various quarters, including students from the Northeast.

READ MORE - Breakthrough in Mizo woman rape case soon: Chidambaram

Rain harvesting in Mizoram

Laishram Shamungou

Imphal, Nov 27 : To solve the problem of water scarcity faced by the people settled atop the mountains, Mizoram Government has been extending its help in constructing water tanks at different places to harvest rain water.

The water, thus, collected is enough to meet the requirement of the people round the year.

With the success of this innovative and convenient approach of rain harvesting, Mizoram Government is planning to construct more such water tanks in other uncovered areas at an estimated project cost of Rs 5 crores from next year.

Although Mizoram receives an annual rainfall of 250 centimetre, people living on the hill tops normally suffer from water scarcity as the rain water runs off quickly down the steep mountain slope.

Harvesting rain water to beat the water scarcity in Mizoram

A media team from Manipur which had recently conducted a tour of Mizoram got a first hand experience of how the Mizos settling on top of the mountain harvest rain water to overcome the problem of water scarcity.

The Government has also chipped in with assistance to help in construction of water tanks at many places for harvesting the rain water for the people as its water supply scheme has limited coverage on account of the topographical feature of the State.

Around 341 villages have been so far brought under the water supply scheme of the Mizoram Govt and over 305 villages, mostly in rural areas, are yet to get the full benefit of the Rural Water Supply Scheme being taken up by the Govt.

In addition to this, there are 130 other villages which these schemes have not been able to cover.

In such a situation, Mizoram Govt initiated the project of rain water harvesting since 1986 to solve the problem of water scarcity in these villages.

Today, rain water harvesting tanks are conspicuously present in almost every part of Mizoram.

These tanks have been constructed close to residential areas.

According to an official of Mizoram Govt, Till date, 24,185 rain water harvesting tanks have been constructed with the assistance of Mizoram Government while another 1242 private tanks by individual families.

From next year, Mizoram Govt is planning to construction more tanks at a total estimated cost of Rs 5 crores for harvesting rain water, the official disclosed.

An official of the Public Works Dept, Govt of Mizoram explained that permission for construction of new Govt office buildings is not granted if there is no arrangement for storing the harvested rain water.

READ MORE - Rain harvesting in Mizoram

CIJWS trains troops to fight guerillas like guerillas

By Ibochouba Maibam

IMPHAL, Nov 24 : The Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), in Vairangte, Mizoram, gives not only jungle warfare and counter insurgency training, but also normal education at its Information and Research Centre instituted under the name of the founder of the school Brig Mathew Thomas inside the school campus.

The Centre imparts to students knowledge of current events and developments in science and technology through newspapers and TV.

It also educates them of the different communities and religions of the Northeast region, besides of course the ways of militants organisations of the Northeast and their history.

The CIJWS, it may be recalled has the reputation of being one of world’s most prestigious special warfare training institutions, with troops from several countries participating in its programmes.

Vairengte is a town in the Kolasib district of Mizoram about 130 km from Aizawl.

The CIJWS was established in 1970 and the motto is “fight a guerrilla like a guerrilla”.

A demo was witnessed by a Manipur media team which toured Mizoram under the banner of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union, AMWJU, and sponsored by the Manipur government.

Maj Gen AK Raj Senha and other officials briefing the visiting journalists sketched a history of the CIJWS.

So far about 26 countries including the United States, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afganistan, Tajiskistan, Brazil, Srilanka, Niger, etc had trained and the number of trained officer are about 6391, JCOs 10092, and OR 1454557.

A spokesperson nd said students are imparted special skills in countering insurgency.

More interestingly, selected officers, JCOs and NCOs, no matter where their posting, as well as men of the CRPF, BSF and Assam Rifles, besides “students” from foreign countries, are enrolled for an extensive course in basic as well as NE-specific CI operations.

The success of this school prompted another counter insurgency training centre, the Kaziranga special jungle warfare training school in North Eastern India, added the spokesperson.

Demonstration of how the students were provide training were also shown.

The original plans to setup a counter insurgency unit to train soldiers came up following fighting with Mizo militants in the 1960s, he said.

General Sam Manekshaw mooted the idea for such training and it took shape in 1967, he further said.

The crisis in neighboring Bangladesh however prompted a temporary rethink as the academy trained the Mukti Bahini guerrillas to attack Pakistan Army strongholds.

Operation Jackpot was one such naval operation undertaken by the rebels largely aided and planned by Indians that drove home the strength of this school.

After the Indo Pakistan War 1971, it returned to its primary focus of counter insurgency, it said.

READ MORE - CIJWS trains troops to fight guerillas like guerillas

Mizoram Tour : A State Where Prohibition Actually Works Wineries debut in dry Mizoram

Laishram Shamungou

Champhai, November 22 2010: Although prohibition is being imposed in letter and spirit in Mizoram, the ruling Congress Government has brought about some amendments in its Prohibition Act to allow manufacturing of wine from grapes along with setting up two wineries for the benefit of the farmers.

Interacting with a group of journalists from Manipur during a recent tour, Agriculture Minister of Mizoram H Liensailova explained that the two wineries have been set up after making necessary amendments in the Prohibition Act for the benefits of the farmers who are growing grapes in the State.

Machineries installed at a winery and the bottled wine ready for shipment

The wine to be produced from these two wineries set up by a society of the farmers is not for export but for local consumption, the Minister added.

According to an official source, cultivation of Bangalore Blue, a variety of grape, in Mizoram was reportedly started in Champhai district headquarters and Hnahlan by around 2000 farmers in 2007 .

Although this grape variety is very suitable to the soil of Mizoram, as it cannot be used as table fruit for long, the idea of setting up wineries came about.

Locally known as Zawlaidi, the wine produced from the two wineries was formally commissioned for selling in local market in October this year with positive response from the public.

In connection with manufacturing of the wine that has alcohol content of 14 percent, the manager of the winery at Champhai told the touring journalists that the farmers' society set up the wineries with loan from Mizoram Rural Bank.

The manager further informed that around 200 to 300 cases of Zawlaidi is being produced from his winery and the required grapes are being purchased from the farmers at the rate of Rs 35 per kg.

On marketing of the wine, the manager informed that it is being done by the Government through the Excise Department.

Thirteen vendors have been opened under the Department from where the public can buy Zawlaidi bottles, the manager said, adding that it is the public and more particularly the farmers who are reaping the benefit from setting up of the wineries.

The winery at Champhai has 14 fermentation tanks.

With positive response from the public, the winery is planning to increase its production capacity in near future.

The taxes collected from by the Excise Department from selling the wine is accrued to the Government.

READ MORE - Mizoram Tour : A State Where Prohibition Actually Works Wineries debut in dry Mizoram

Mizoram tribals protest repatriation

Agartala, Nov 20 (IANS) The Tripura government is going ahead with its programme to relocate Reang tribals, who settled in the state after ethnic clashes in Mizoram, an official said Saturday, but the tribals continued to protest the move.

Over 41,600 Reang tribals, locally called Bru, have been living in six camps in north Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub-division since October 1997. They fled western Mizoram after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official.

Reang tribals are anxious about situation back home, and had earlier demanded an eight-point rehabilitation package, including formation of autonomous district council in Mizoram, and reservation in government jobs and state assembly.

“Out of 41,600 tribal refugees, 400 refugees returned to their homes since Nov 3,” a Tripura government official told reporters at Kanchanpur, some 185 km north of Agartala.

“When 66 families were ready to go back home late Friday, hundreds of other refugees put up a blockade on the Tripura-Mizoram highway, protesting non-settlement of their eight-point demands,” he said.

“Police arrested 655 protesters and cleared the blockade. Subsequently, 48 refugee families left Tripura for their homes,” he added.

The refugees had organised a rally last month to protest the Mizoram government’s inaction. They had also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding early solution of the ethnic imbroglio.

During his visit to Aizawl in May, Home Minister P. Chidambaram had asked the Mizoram government and the tribal leaders to sort out the matter.

According to Mizoram government officials, the state government would provide Rs.80,000 to each repatriated family for house construction and farming assistance, free rations for a year, financial assistance for their ‘jhum’ (slash and burn) cultivation, and adequate security.

READ MORE - Mizoram tribals protest repatriation

Mizoram poised for border trade boom

Aizawl, Nov 20 : Despite being the natural route of Indo-Myanmar border trade activities, Manipur has been struggling to reap the benefit due to several factors like poor communication facilities and unstable law and order condition.

But it has been smooth sailing for an off-location State like Mizoram with the possibility of surpassing Manipur in the near future.

However, activities like construction of Integrated Check Post at Moreh in Manipur under Land Port Authority of India as part of the efforts being made by the Government of India for development of border trade is not seen in Mizoram.

A team of 13 journalists from Manipur who recently conducted a tour of Mizoram experienced first-hand of what a striving border trade activities should be like.

Along with developing Zokhawthar, which is located some 200 kms from the capital Aizawl, in the bordering Champhai district, as a border trade centre, the Mizoram Government has been leaving no stone unturned for development of border trade with Myanmar.

Unlike in Manipur, in Mizoram there is also no dispute among the villagers settling on either side of the International border.

To facilitate border trade activities, Mizoram Government has constructed building for housing Land Customs Office, Police Check Gate, Bank branch of SBI, etc, all under one roof and development of other required infrastructures is underway.

Interacting with the visiting journalists from Manipur, Deputy Commissioner of Champhai district Vijay Kumar Bidhuri explained that the ongoing border trade activities between Mizoram and Myanmar is of recent development and it is being carried out on barter system with not much of trade volume.

Although the touring journalists did not come across any large market for carrying out border trade in Zokhawthar, at the bordering Khawmang of Myanmar, a row of wine shops doing roaring business could be seen.

Talking to the visiting journalists in his office chamber, Chief Secretary of Mizoram Van Hela Pachou disclosed that development of border road in Mizoram to connect Tedim of Myanmar for development of the border trade activities is on card under the Look East Policy of the Government of India.

Another stark contrast between Manipur and Mizoram is that the condition of the road from capital Aizawl to Champhai is very good and there is no security check post all along this road, another sign of peace prevailing in Mizoram.

It is learnt that at the instruction of Ministry of External Affairs, the Government has sanctioned a Rs 610 crores Multi-Model Transport Project over the Koodyene river of Mizoram that would cover a distance of 750 kms to connect Sittwet Seaport in Myanmar.

Targeted to be completed by 2014, the said Project will also connect Mizoram with Kolkata through sea route.

The project is expected to open a new chapter in trade activities of Mizoram not only with Myanmar but also with other metropolitan cities of India.

READ MORE - Mizoram poised for border trade boom

With new land use policy, Mizoram marches ahead in development

Imphal, Nov 19 : New Land Use Policy (NLUP) and policies to develop both land and water routes for trade and commerce are some of the efforts Mizoram government is taking up to push the state to an advanced state.

A team of state journalists of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) visited various developmental projects being taken up in Mizoram under the sponsorship of the state planning department during their stay from November 10 and 16 in the state.

In a briefing to the visiting state journalists at the conference hall of the Mizoram Information and Public Relation vice chairman PL Thanga gave a brief account of the New Land Use Policy of the state.

He informed that Mizoram which was once an insurgency infested state is peaceful and fast moving forward in development.

The Congress government in the state is working hard for accelerating for an all round development passage in the state in the last 20 years.

It has drafted the NLUP to help farmers move away from the traditional slash-and-burn method of cultivation to more sustainable land-based means of livelihood.

He said that the '2,527-crore NLUP has been taken up for sustainable land-based economic activities and to remove the age-old 'jhum' cultivation in the state.

In the first five years, the NLUP aims to support 120,000 families.

He said the departments of agriculture, horticulture, veterinary, industries, forest, fisheries, sericulture and soil and water conservation would be involved in the scheme.

Amongst others the core objectives of the new policy includes to aim at keeping 60% of Mizoram total land area as rain forest, to wean away farmers from destructive jhum practices and assist the workforce hitherto engaged in jhuming to be employed in sustainable economic ventures to create productive assets in each family, to improve income for both urban and rural poor through sustainable farming, non farming, micro enterprises including promotion and modernization of small scale and cottage industries, livelihood activities.

It will also focus on land reclamation and promotion of Agri-horticultural and plantation crops, animal husbandry, fishery and micro enterprises for income and employment generation.

NLUP programme will give a focused attention to preserve and regenerate natural resources particularly forests and bio diversity.

It is projected to benefit about 1,20,000 families in 5 years for various livelihood activities in the 1st year 2009-2010, and about 19640 families to be covered on a pilot basis.

About 80 percent of farmers in Mizoram are still dependent on jhum cultivation that involves clearing of forests and burning trees, weeds and bamboos and the NLUP seeks to restore a ecological balance by providing the farmers sustainable and permanent land-based means of livelihood, he asserted.

The NLUP also aims to create 21,480 hectares of bamboo plantation to benefit 10,740 families.

The NLUP intends to keep 60 percent of the state's total geographical area under forest cover and the remaining 40 percent for land-based development, Thanga said.

Making a power point presentation on the power situation in the state, Thanga said that a new Hydro Electric Power Policy Mizoram 2010 have already started.

The state has 98 percent power potential yet to be tapped.

A 12 Megawatt Serlui 'B' Hydel Project is near completion.

It is targeted to be commissioned by December this year.

The total power requirement Mizoram in a year is 107 MW while the availability is only 63 MW.

Mizoram government has a plan to develop NH-150 from Nokpa to Thanlon-Singhat of Manipur into a double-lane highway.

The project will cost ' 67.69 and is targeted to completed by 2013, he said.

READ MORE - With new land use policy, Mizoram marches ahead in development

First Councillors of AMC sworn in

Aizawl, Nov 18 : The first Councillors of the Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) were sworn in today in a ceremony held at the AMC session hall here.

The newly-elected councillors were sworn in in order of the number of wards. Lalrinenga Sailo, elected from Ward-1 on Mizo National Front ticket, was sworn in first.

After Aizawl District Magistrate C Thanchhuma administered the oath of office to all the 19 Councillors, there was election to the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

CT Zakhuma, elected from Ward-15 on Congress ticket, became the first Chairman of the Aizawl Municipal Council.

Zarzoliana, of ruling Congress' ally Zoram Nationalist Party, was elected uncontested as the Vice-Chairman. He represents Ward-7.

As per the chairman's recommendations, three Councillors, including two women, were appointed executive council members. The sworn-in ceremony was chaired by AMC Chief Executive Officer R Sangliankhuma and attended by ministers, MLAs, MPs and government officials.

The ruling Congress party and its ally Zoram Nationalist Party won ten of the 19 seats, leaving nine seats to the Opposition Mizo National Front-Mizoram People's Conference combine in the elections held on November 3.

READ MORE - First Councillors of AMC sworn in

Refugee repatriation affected due to blockade in Tripura

Agartala, Nov 18 : The second phase of Reang refugee repatriation, scheduled to begin today, was affected due to road blockade by a faction of refugees on the Tripura-Mizoram road, North Tripura officials said. According to a report, the Mizoram officials could not complete the refugee identification in four camps in Kanchanpur of North Tripura following the blockade by a group of refugees who opposed it.

The identification task started on November 13 last for the second phase of repatriation but it could not be completed despite the initiative from both the Mizoram and Tripura administration, the report stated.

Earlier, 53 families had returned to Mizoram during the first phase of repatriation on November 3 and 4 last.

On the other hand, Bru Displaced Welfare Organisation (BDWO) threatened to launch an agitation against the repatriation and argued that the second phase would start only after the successful implementation of the package for those who had returned home. The BDWO stated that they would not favour immediate return of remaining refugees sheltered in six camps in Kanchanpur unless the Mizoram government implemented the rehabilitation package.

READ MORE - Refugee repatriation affected due to blockade in Tripura

Mizoram bans short skirts in schools

Aizawl, Nov 18 : The Mizoram government has banned school girls from wearing short skirts and boys from low-waist pants.

In a circular issued to schools across Mizoram yesterday, higher Technical Education Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi said short skirts and low-waist pants in schools were banned.

Any offender was liable to be slapped a fine of Rs 300 for first offence, which might increase to Rs 500 for second offence and expulsion from school for third offence, the circular said.

The prohibition applied to all schools, from primary to higher secondary, government and private in Mizoram.

The move came after Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the state's apex students body, raised concern over the short skirts and low-waist trousers and formerly asked the government to impose decent dress code for school-going teenaged students.

The government order stated that the skirts should reach up to the umbilicus and cover the knees.

Besides the dresses, the girls are not allowed to colour their hairs or cut them too short, while the boys are also not allowed to don spiky hairs or use too much hair gel.

''Skin-showing dresses made fashionable by rock stars find their way to Mizoram almost instantly. Even school students catch on to atrocious styles, going to the extent of tweaking their uniforms,'' MZP President VL Krosshnehzova said here today.

''We are very happy that the government has imposed decent dress code for students,'' he added.

READ MORE - Mizoram bans short skirts in schools

Mizoram: Uncertainty Over Bru Repatriation

Aizawl, Nov 17 : Uncertainty clouded the second phase of Bru repatriation, rescheduled to begin from Thrusday, as the consultations held by Mizoram and Tripura government officials with refugee organisations at Kanchanpur in North Tripura district went inconclusive.

Sources said that anti-repatriation leaders like A Sawibung and Bruno Msha of the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) opposed the repatriation unless and until a four-cornered negotiation is held between the MBDPF, the Centre and the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura to sign a memorandum of understanding incorporating a series of their demands.

Pro-repatriation leaders like Elvis Chorkhy of the Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) and Vanlallawma and Lalnunsiama of the Repatriation Implementation Committee (RIC) have expressed support to government plans to repatriate the refugees lodged in six relief camps.

They said that elaborate security arrangements be made to ensure smooth return of the refugees in view of the road blockade threats by anti-repatriation elements.

Zothankhuma, deputy commissioner of Mizoram-Tripura border Mamit district, who presided over the consultation said that the state government has been making all necessary arrangements for the repatriation and he would again consult the higher authority in Aizawl before taking any further steps.

READ MORE - Mizoram: Uncertainty Over Bru Repatriation

Manmohan Singh may visit Mizoram in December

Aizawl, Nov 17 : PM Manmohan Singh may visit Mizoram during the first half of next month, according to official sources.

A meeting of Mizoram top officials, headed by chief secretary Vanhela Pachuau, today suggested that achievements and special initiatives taken up by various departments under the present ministry be compiled in a book to be released during the Prime Minister’s tentative visit.

The meeting, held at the secretariat conference hall, New Secretariat Complex, also discussed paucity of planned funds faced by different departments as a result of pay revision, shortfall in matching share for centrally sponsored schemes, additional requirement of fund for repair of roads and buildings due to damage caused by monsoon and shortfall in the plan allocation for other priority projects.

Departments are advised to bring such shortfalls to the notice of the principal adviser to the State Planning Board, sources said.

READ MORE - Manmohan Singh may visit Mizoram in December

Mizoram: Second phase of Bru repatriation might get affected

Aizawl, Nov 15 : The second phase of Bru repatriation, scheduled to begin from tomorrow, may run into trouble due to a road blockade by elements against the deportation in relief camps.

Around 100 families were identified but the officials could not undertake identification work in three relief camps due to the blockade, general secretary of the pro-repatriation Bru Coordination Committee (BCC) Elvis Chorkhy, told PTI today from Tripura.

Preparations to repatriate families identified by Mizoram government officials began on Saturday.

Mizoram and Tripura government officials would discuss the proposed repatriation today where the issue of providing adequate security to those who want to return to Mizoram will be discussed.

Earlier, 53 families had returned to Mizoram during the first phase of repatriation on November 3 and 4.

READ MORE - Mizoram: Second phase of Bru repatriation might get affected

Our bridge to southeast Asia

Myanmar's generals are nothing if not manipulative and sharp. This explains why they timed the elections, which of course, the army won hands down, days before the house arrest of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi came to an end. She has been released, but the generals are safely in power and
there is not much she can do to unseat them for quite a while to come, if at all.

India has held its counsel on developments in Myanmar, despite a rap on the knuckles from President Barack Obama. While India has always expressed its support for democracy, it has followed the southeast Asian policy of constructive engagement with the regime much as the US as done with undemocratic regimes like Saudi Arabia and military regimes in Pakistan. India's geopolitical considerations are slightly different from those on the Washington beltway given that it shares a 1,600-km border with Myanmar. The generals have been more than accommodative of India's concerns on counter-terror cooperation and border management. New Delhi sees Myanmar as a bridge to southeast Asia, consistent with the UPA government's Look East policy. Foreign policy pragmatists in India don't feel that the promotion of democracy can be a consistent pillar of policy for any nation, and India is no exception. There are restive minorities on both sides of the border with Myanmar and long-standing insurgencies that India wants to contain on its side. For this, security cooperation with Yangon is vital. India also wants transport corridors from its volatile northeast to some of Myanmar's cities. It has recently asked for a transport corridor to the northeast through Myanmar and for shipping routes from Kolkata to Sittwe port from where goods can move overland to Mizoram. Indian companies have substantial stakes in Myanmar's rich oil and gas fields and in its abundant natural resources.

The theory that we have to engage with those in power, irrespective of their democratic credentials has worked for western powers who are quick to preach a different set of rules to us. While New Delhi is chary of China's growing influence in Myanmar, it has not made an issue of it. Instead, it has actually explored the possibility of joint ventures with China in Myanmar, a smart bit of foreign policy thinking on the part of both countries. The recent upheavals in Myanmar and the refugee crisis have underscored the need for both China and India to ensure that there is stability in that country. The release of Ms Suu Kyi could be a sign that the military is now toying with the possibility of easing restrictions in the country, something that will hopefully be a harbinger of democracy in the future.

READ MORE - Our bridge to southeast Asia

DoNER secretary visits Mizoram

AIZAWL, Nov 7 – The Secretary to Ministry of DoNER, Ms Jayati Chandra recently held a series of meetings with the top officials of Mizoram Government on the developmental projects in the State.

At a meeting which was attended by Chief Secretary of Mizoram Van Hela Pachuau, PL Thanga, Member Secretary, State Planning Board and other senior officers, the DoNER secretary advised the officers to implement the projects sanctioned by the DoNER in Mizoram.

The meeting reviewed implementation of Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLCPR) in the State. Till date a total of 88 projects costing Rs 691.02 crore has been sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry out of which 57 projects costing Rs 31,079.11 lakh have been completed. There are 31 on-going projects with a total project cost of Rs 38,022.88 lakh. Senior officers highlighted a brief report on the progress of these projects and presented various suggestions to induce quicker and better quality of work.

Earlier, Ms Jayati Chandra visited Land Custom Station building, Zokhawthar, Border Trade Point at Melbuk and Horticulture department’s Rose and Mushroom Green Houses at New Champhai.

The Secretary was apprised of the present situation at Melbuk Border Trade Point where the Trade Point is yet to be formally commissioned due to delay on the part of the Myanmar Government.

READ MORE - DoNER secretary visits Mizoram

Cop on poll duty sustains bullet injuries

Banka: A policeman on Sunday sustained bullet injuries after he accidently shot himself with his own SLR while taking seat in a vehicle near Bausa police station in Bihar's Banka district.

The cop, identified as Lalayan of the fifth battalion of the Mizoram police, sustained injuries in his leg after he accidentally pressed the trigger of the SLR, Superintendent of Police, Shyam Kumar said.

The injured cop was taken to a nearby hospital where the attending doctors referred him to the Referral hospital at Bhagalpur, he said.

READ MORE - Cop on poll duty sustains bullet injuries

Two Myanmarese nationals held for gangrape

Aizawl, Oct 31 : Vaivakawn police today arrested two Myanmarese nationals on charges of gangraping a local woman at Rangvamual here on Monday evening.

The woman, an egg-vendor from Thuampui locality, lodged a complaint in Vaivakawn police station on Tuesday that she had been gangraped by two unidentified men while walking home from Rangvamual around 1700 pm on October 25.

Police arrested two Myanmarese nationals--identified as Lalchawiliana(19), and Vanlalpekmuana(18). They were temporarily residing at Vaivakawn Zonhnuai locality.

The duo allegedly dragged the woman below the road and raped her.

Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (Mizo women organisation) branch of Zuangtui strongly condemned the rape of its member by Myanmarese nationals. The women organisation further demanded that the state government flush out all foreigners from Mizoram in order to ''decrease crime rates.''

READ MORE - Two Myanmarese nationals held for gangrape

Goodbye door-to-door campaigning, hello SMS!

Aizawl, Oct 31 : It seems goodbye to door-to-door campaign here as text messaging has taken over as the main mode of electioneering after the all-powerful church organisation prohibited the former process.

This time round, as electioneering for the first Aizawl Municipal Council is reaching its climax, candidates and their supporters are busy sending text messages to the voters, besides speaking on a common platform organised by church organisation in each ward.

''I receive such messages from political parties appealing to me to vote for their party candidates four to five times on a daily basis,'' a resident of Chanmari here said.

'Vote for candidates who could work shoulder to shoulder with the state government' is the main slogan of the ruling Congress party and its ally Lalduhoma-led Zoram Nationalist Party.

The Congress-ZNP alliance had warned the people of Aizawl against electing candidates who 'would turn their back' on the ruling party.

On the other hand, Opposition Mizo National Front-Mizoram People's Conference combine has been asking the elect councillors from Opposition party to check the government.

They claimed that the municipal council would get direct fund from the Centre and there would be no way the state government tie the hands of the Opposition councillors.

These two contrasting slogans are what the people of Aizawl keep receiving on their mobile phones.

Since the last state Assembly elections in 2008, the Mizoram People's Forum (MPF), a Presbyterian Church-sponsored election watchdog, has forced political parties and candidates to refrain from door-to-door campaigning and to take alternative routes to woo voters.

Candidates for the 19-ward AMC polls, to be held on November 3, are now declaring their manifesto via SMSes and the common platform.

A candidate said he had been using text messages to ask voters within his ward to vote for him as he was not allowed to personally meet them in their homes by the MPF.

The MPF has also fixed the number of banners and posters to be displayed by a candidate within his ward and also the number of copies of the pamphlets and appeals 'to cut down election expenditure'.

SMS service providers like Aizawl-based Zolife Mobcom services are doing lucrative business with major political parties, especially the ruling Congress and the Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), paying for their service to reach the voters.

''We are sending around seven lakh SMSes in a week now and we hope that it would be picking up soon,'' Remruata Varte of the Mobcom sms service said, adding, ''We will launch voicemail messages within a few days.'' The State Election Commission is, meanwhile, keenly watching if the SMS campaigning goes beyond the law.

In an official statement, the State Election Commission said the misuse would be penalised under provisions of the IPC, Representation of the People Act, 1951, Mizoram Municipalities (Election of Councillors) Rules, 2007 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

''It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that certain objectionable SMSes are being transmitted by some persons, violating the provisions of election laws and the model code of conduct.'' ''Any violation of the election laws and the model code of conduct should be reported to the police and the police would take action in accordance with the law,'' the statement said.

Expenses on bulk SMSes sent by service providers would be included in the election expenditure of the candidates, the Commission said, adding that transmission of bulk text messages of political nature for a period of 48 hours before the end of the election process of the civic polls was strictly prohibited.

READ MORE - Goodbye door-to-door campaigning, hello SMS!

Mizoram CM taken ill

AIZAWL, Oct 31 (PTI) - Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was brought here by a helicopter this evening for treatment after he was taken ill while visiting his constituency.

Doctors treating the 68-year-old Chief Minister in his official residence said a thorough medical examination was being conducted and his condition was stable.

Lal Thanhawla developed a problem while attending a public meeting at Serchhip town in his constituency, doctors said, adding that he had recently undergone medical check-up in Kolkata.

READ MORE - Mizoram CM taken ill

Tripura CM presses on Reang refugee repartiation

Agartala, Oct 31 (PTI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said that social problems would arise unless the Reang refugees from neighbouring Mizoram were taken back."Nearly 35,000 to 40000 people are living in the space where 10,000 to 12,000 people stay.

It is bound to create social problems," chief minister said when replying to a private member''s resolution in the assembly yesterday.The private members resolution was moved by ruling CPI-M MLA - "The central government take initiative to repatriate the Reang refugees from Mizoram sheltered in Tripura with dignity".

Sarkar said, he had taken up the matter with the central government on several occasions but the problem was that Mizoram government did not agree to take back all the refugees.

The assembly unanimously took a resolution that the Centre takes ininitiative to repatriate them.

More than 35000 Reang/Bru refugees are sheltered in six evacuee camps in Kanchapur subdivision of North Tripura district bordering Mizoram.They entered Tripura following ethnic clashes with the Mizos since 1997.

READ MORE - Tripura CM presses on Reang refugee repartiation

Man dies of bee stings in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 29 (PTI) A 38-year-old man was killed near Chithar village in south Mizoram's Lunglei district after he was stung by a swarm of bees in the jungle on Wednesday, reports reaching here from the village today said.

Nghenchhanliana was on the edge of a waterfall when thousands of bees attacked him and in order to avoid falling into the gorge he just sat down allowing the swarm of bees, locally called 'Khawidang' to sting him for sometime.

He managed to return home with great difficulty and died of the multiple injuries after having high fever, the reports said.

In a separate incident, a 46-year-old man was bitten to death by a snake in Mizoram-Assam border Hriphaw hamlet on the same day.Zairemmawia, who was working in his garden did not return home on the night of Wednesday and the search party comprising of policemen and villagers found his body in his garden along with a dead snake.

It was concluded that he killed the snake after it bit him.

READ MORE - Man dies of bee stings in Mizoram

57 NLPCR projects completed in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 28 : DoNER secretary Jayati Chandra, who is currently on a visit to Mizoram, was today informed that of the 88 projects sanctioned under NLPCR fund to Mizoram since 1998-99, 57 have been completed and 31 projects are under construction.

Mr Chandra today had a meeting with Mizoram Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau, state planning board member P L Thanga and other important officials at Tourist Lodge, Chaltlang, here in which they reviewed the utilisation of the NLPCR fund in Mizoram.

The DoNER secretary lent ears to the different problems raised by department officials and assured of all possible assistance to sort them out. The department officials also made proposals to expedite the ongoing projects.

The DoNER secretary asked the officials to make sure the central fund reach its target.

After the meeting, the DoNER official was airdashed to Saiha in southern Mizoram where she was accorded a huge reception with a guard of honour and cultural programme.

In an ensuing meeting, Saiha DC Kunal gave a power point presentation on 'development issues of Saiha district' which impressed Chandra. She said she would take all the possible steps to fulfill the needs of the district highliged in the presentation.

She felt sorry over the non-sanctioning of funds for Saiha district civil hospital even three years after its project was approved by the ministry.

She further assured that funds would be sanctioned for Tuipang water supply scheme once the DPR was completed.

She left Saiha for Lawngtlai around 1300 hours. She was accompanied by a crowd of officials.

READ MORE - 57 NLPCR projects completed in Mizoram

Centre advises Mizoram to repatriate Bru refugees quickly

Aizawl, Oct 28 (PTI) The Mizoram government today said they have been advised by the Centre to begin repatriation of Bru refugees from the neighbouring Tripura as soon as possible.

The state government had appealed for extension of the repatriation dateline from October 18 to November 18, due to relief works being undertaken for the victims of landslides and earth faults in Mamit where majority of the refugees would be resettled.

A state home department official said that arrangements have been made for a phase-wise early repatriation of the refugees.

Altogether 36 villages in the Mizoram-Tripura border's Mamit district were selected for resettlement of the refugees while five villages each were identified for the purpose in Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district and south Mizoram's Lunglei district.

Once repatriated, Rs 80,000 would be disbursed to each family which would include Rs 35,000 for construction of houses, the official said.

READ MORE - Centre advises Mizoram to repatriate Bru refugees quickly

Make science more attractive: Lakhera

Aizawl, Oct 26 : Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (rtd) MM Lakhera today urged scientists to make science more attractive and more innovative to the youth.

Lakhera was inaugurating the 74th BRNS-IANCAS national workshop on radiochemistry and applications of radioisotopes at the Mizoram University (MZU) campus, at Tanhril here.

''We unfortunately are not able to motivate our youth in large numbers to take up science and technology despite its importance for economic development of the country,'' the Governor said.

''Scientists should do something to make science more attractive and more innovative to the youth,'' he urged.

The Governor suggested that higher education institutes should redesign their courses and syllabus to modern day requirement with modern technology.

He also said nuclear science is not very well understood by most of the people; and that the Workshop will act as a catalyst to focus attention on various aspects of nuclear energy and thus will increase awareness about the multiple uses of nuclear energy.

The national workshop which will last till November 2 is organised by Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) and Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists (IANCAS). It is hosted by the Mizoram University's department of chemistry.

MZU vice-chancellor and chief patron Prof Tlanglawma said that radioisotopes had found immense roles and uses in various fields of sciences; and the workshop will be helpful for the participants in starting their own nuclear research.

MZU registrar and patron Benjamina said that one cannot be a depository of old knowledge; and it is important to learn something to enhance knowledge and skill. He added that learning is about sharing of experiences.

READ MORE - Make science more attractive: Lakhera

Aizawl SP confirms

Imphal, Oct 25 : The Aizawl SP has confirmed that some Manipuris were among non-Mizos pulled up by Mizoram Police for not possessing Inner Line Permit.

Although the SP refused to state the exact number of Manipuris detained, the SP categorically stated that it is mandatory for non-Mizos residing/staying in Mizoram to possess Inner Line Permit.

Taking serious note of this sudden development, Manipur Chief Secretary is making correspondence with his Mizoram counterpart.

The Government of Mizoram is being asked not to pull up Manipuris staying there until they could get their Inner Line Permits.

Meanwhile, information received from Aizawl said that all the arrested Manipuris have been released.

The Government of Mizoram has given them a month's time to get the mandatory Inner Line Permits.

READ MORE - Aizawl SP confirms

Centre okays two water projects in Mizoram

Aizawl, Oct 23 : The Centre has given nod to two water supply schemes costing a total of Rs 4417.80 lakh.

Official sources said today, the Centre approved Greater Lawngtlai water supply scheme costing Rs 2564.50 lakh and greater Saitual water supply scheme costing Rs 2153.20 lakh.

The Centre has released Rs 905 lakh for Lunglei and Rs 759 lakh for Saitual as the first installment, the sources said.

The schemes are being funded under the Central Pool of Resources for Development of Northeast and Sikkim for 2010-11.

READ MORE - Centre okays two water projects in Mizoram

Mizoram to hold talks with Hmar outfit

Aizawl, Oct 23 (IANS) The Mizoram government will hold talks with the radical outfit Hmar People’s Convention-Democrats (HPC-D), officials said Saturday.
“The HPC-D had recently approached the Mizoram government for talks and the latter agreed immediately,” a Mizoram home department official told IANS.
The official said that though details of the talks are yet to be finalised, the separatists have not put forward any pre-condition.
The Mizoram government has constituted a committee, comprising police and civil administration officials, under the chairmanship of Home Secretary Lalmalsawma, to conduct the talks.
HPC-D is a militant outfit operating mainly in Mizoram and neighbouring Manipur. It has been demanding a separate Hmar Autonomous District Council, comprising Hmar tribal-inhabited areas in the north and northeastern eastern part of mountainous Mizoram.
The Hmar tribals live mostly in the hills of south Manipur, parts of Mizoram, southern Assam and parts of Meghalaya and Tripura, besides Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.
In 1987, the Hmars launched an insurgent movement demanding a Hmar Autonomous District Council, until a ceasefire was signed in 1992. A radical section split off from the movement after the ceasefire, calling itself the Hmar People’s Convention-Democrats. The group, involved in cases of kidnapping and extortion, has been active since 2003.

READ MORE - Mizoram to hold talks with Hmar outfit

Reang refugees write to PM

Agartala, Oct 22 : The Reang refugees have sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding assurance of immediate repatriation with full security, at least one house for each family, free ration for one year and cash compensation of Rs 50,000 for each family.

The refugees, along with Reang tribes of both Tripura and Mizoram, were demonstrating in Kanchanpur against the Mizoram government for its alleged non-cooperation in taking back the refugees since the past 13 years.

They submitted the memorandum to the local administration to be forwarded to the Prime Minister.

READ MORE - Reang refugees write to PM

Mizoram Police pay homage to departed colleagues

Aizawl, Oct 22 : The Mizoram police today observed police commemoration day to salute the valour and sacrifice of police personnel who died in harness.

In a ceremony held at the Ist Mizoram Armed Police headquarters at Armed Veng here, Mizoram DIG (Northern Range) L Hrangnawna read out the names of all the 798 police personnel who laid down their lives while on duty all over the country during the period of September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010. This was followed a police commemoration parade.

The day is observed every year to pay homage to those police personnel who laid down their lives at Hot Spring (Ladakh) while patrolling in Indian territory in an attack by Chinese Army on October 21, 1959 as well as for those police personnel who laid their lives on duty all over the country during past one year. On this occasion, the police officials, led by DGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau, laid floral wreaths at Martar Thlan (martyrs monument) at the Ist MAP headquarters. The monument was constructed in honour of Mizoram policemen who died while fighting enemies.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines, the state DGP highlighted the major achievements of Mizoram police during the last three years. Among many others, the DGP said Mizoram would get bullet-proof Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle by November.

READ MORE - Mizoram Police pay homage to departed colleagues

Mizoram Governor Lakhera turns 73

Aizawl, Oct 22 : The Raj Bhavan in Aizawl was today flooded with gifts and good wishes as the occupant Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (Rtd) Madan Mohan Lakheracelebrated his 73rd birthday.

Chief minister Lal Thanhawla conveyed his wishes through telephone and also sent a present. State ministers, senior officers and military personnel were among those who felicitated the Governor on his birth anniversary.

M M Lakhera was born on October 21, 1937, at Jakhand, Patti Barjula, Tehri Garhawal. He was educated in Rastriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun. He was commissioned in the Army from Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun on June 8, 1958.

He became the Governor of Mizoram on July 2006. Previously, he was the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Pondicherry from 2004 to 2006.

READ MORE - Mizoram Governor Lakhera turns 73

Mizo varsity students set afire registrar's car

Aizawl, Oct 22 : The car of the Mizoram University registrar was set ablaze today by the students who intensified their long-standing demand for a 1230-hour bus service from the varsity campus to the city.

Sources from the Mizoram University Students Union said the students waited for the response of the registrar, Benjamina, to their memorandum till 1700 hrs. When the registrar failed to give any positive response, they started attacking his car, sources added.

As the agitating students locked the campus gate from the inside and formed a barricade, the police could do very little to keep off the fire which damaged the car beyond repair.

An agreement was made with the acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Tlanglawma, according to which the 1230 hours bus service would be resumed from tomorrow. Sources said this agreement would remain effective till the Vice-Chancellor's term expired after one month.

The bus service at that point of time was in place four to five years back. It was suspended due to shortage of buses and other administrative reasons, it was learnt.

READ MORE - Mizo varsity students set afire registrar's car

Tribal refugees protest in Tripura

Agartala/Aizawl, Oct 21 (IANS) Mizoram tribal refugees sheltered in Tripura for over 13 years Thursday organised a protest rally to express their distress over the Mizoram government's apathetic attitude to taking back the migrants.

'The Reang tribal refugees want an agreement with the Mizoram government to fulfill their economic demands and to ensure their rehabilitation in their villages after their repatriation,' Kanchanpur sub-divisional magistrate Dilip Chakma told IANS on phone.

Since October 1997, over 41,600 Reang tribal refugees, locally called Bru, have taken shelter in six camps in north Tripura's Kanchanpur sub-division, adjacent to Mizoram. They fled western Mizoram after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official.

Thousands of tribal refugees after holding a protest rally at Kanchanpur, 170 km north of here, submitted a memorandum to the Mizoram government through the Kanchanpur sub-divisional magistrate.

Meanwhile, the Mizoram government requested the central government for one month extension of the deadline for repatriation of tribal refugees from camps in Tripura.

According to an official of Mizoram government's home department, the union home ministry had set Oct 18 as the deadline for resumption of the repatriation process.

'The state government has sought for more time as the administration of Mamit district, where maximum number of the refugees would be resettled after repatriation, is engaged in rescue and relief operations in the area hit by landslides, triggered by heavy rains recently,' the official said.

'After the repatriation of 1,133 refugees to Mizoram in May, the total number of refugee families are 6,224 - comprising 40,504 men, women and children sheltered in the six camps,' Shiva Prasad Biswas, Tripura government's relief, rehabilitation and disaster management department director, told IANS.

During his visit to Aizawl in May, Home Minister P. Chidambaram had asked the Mizoram government and the tribal leaders to help repatriate all Reang tribal refugees to their ancestral villages.

The refugees' demands include house construction assistance of Rs.48,500 per tribal family, free rations to the displaced tribals for a period of 12 months, adequate security and financial assistance for their 'jhum' cultivation (slash and burn method of cultivation).

'Without a written agreement with the Mizoram government, we will not return to our villages as the state government had earlier failed to fulfil its commitments on a number of occasions,' a refugee leader told reporters.

Local Reang tribals -- those who are residents of Tripura -- also took part in Thursday's protest rally supporting the refugees' demands.

READ MORE - Tribal refugees protest in Tripura

Mizoram Murder suspect hangs self in lock-up

Aizawl, Oct 20 : A murder suspect in Lunglei district in southern Mizoram allegedly committed suicide inside a lock-up room last night, police here today said.

Sanghmingthanga alias Lalbuanga (40) was accused of murdering a 42-year-old woman of Lungsen on October 16. The suspect has another criminal case pending regarding rape of a minor girl.

On Monday evening, angry residents of Lungsen flocked to Lungsen police station urging the police to quickly solve the murder case. In a bid to prevent any untoward incident, the police secured the lock-up gates. The police officials also appealed to the crowd to disperse.

After the commotion subsided, the suspect was found hanging with a blanket from the iron bar of the ventilator inside the lock-up.

Sources said the suspect had not yet confessed to the crime before he allegedly committed suicide.

The suspect lived in the village of the victim.

One Lalchhuanawmi was found dead with her head severed from her neck with a sharp object on Saturday. As the woman failed to return from the jhum on Saturday evening, her husband and neighbours went searching for her and later found her body. She had gone to jhum alone.

READ MORE - Mizoram Murder suspect hangs self in lock-up

Aizawl Municipal Council Polls in Full Swing

Aizawl, Oct 19 (PTI) As no candidates withdrew their nominations, 45 candidates are in the fray for the first election to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Council to be held on November 3.

All the candidates were allotted symbols today, returning officer J Hmingthanmawia said.The ruling Congress and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) alliance contested all the wards sharing the seats on 13-6 basis while the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) combine also fielded candidates in all the wards sharing the seats on 12-7 basis.

The BJP and the NCP contested in four and one seats respectively while two independent candidates were also in the fray for the polls even as the battle would be mainly between the Congress-ZNP and MNF-MPC alliances.

Most of the candidates belonging to the major political parties were new faces, mostly young people unknown in the political arena and the well-known candidates included Laldanglova of the Congress, who is the elder brother of the state home minister Lalzirliana and two MNF candidates, Biakthansanga and Lalmalsawmi, both television personalities.

READ MORE - Aizawl Municipal Council Polls in Full Swing

45 candidates in fray for Aizawl Municipal Corporation polls

Aizawl, Oct 12 (PTI) Forty five candidates were in the fray today, the last day of filing of candidates for the first election to the 19-member Aizawl Municipal Corporation to be held on November three.

The coming civic polls would be mainly a straight contest between the ruling Congress and Zoram Nationalist party (ZNP) alliance and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) combine while the BJP also decided to contest four seats and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) one seat.

Scrutiny of the nomination papers would be undertaken tomorrow and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is on Wednesday.

READ MORE - 45 candidates in fray for Aizawl Municipal Corporation polls

Mizoram govt serve rules for local wine sale

Aizawl, Oct 11 : Mizoram has set certain rules to be followed by those dealers of locally brewed grape wine known as Zawlaidi. The locally produced grape wine from southern part of Mizoram will finally hit markets from October 11. The Grape Growers Association of Champhai has unilaterally decided to commence marketing of the grape wine.

The Excise department of Mizoram Government has directed that the quantity of the wine should be limited to four liters per head and it should not be sold to the under-age i.e people under 18 years.

The directives also said that the sales-persons should also be above 18 years of age. The Zawlaidi will be sold from the retail outlets only. Selling of the wine after 5 pm is prohibited by the State Excise department.

Meanwhile, the Grape Growers Association have requested the Excise Department and other concerned departments to facilitate for the marketing of the grape wine at the rate of Rs 160 per liter excluding the commission for the retail vendor.

READ MORE - Mizoram govt serve rules for local wine sale

Mizoram seeks more time for Bru repatriation

AIZAWL, Oct 7 – The Mizoram Government today said it would move the Centre for one month extension of the deadline for repatriation of Bru refugees from camps in North Tripura.

The Home Ministry had set October 18 as the deadline for the repatriation process. “The State Government would seek for more time as the administration of Mamit district, where maximum number of the Bru refugees would be resettled after repatriation, is engaged in rescue and relief operations in the area hit by landslides, triggered by heavy rains,” official sources said.

“The officials are engaged in relief operations and are unable to prepare for the repatriation process during October,” he said.

Meanwhile, the joint verification of villages where the refugees were proposed to be resettled was almost complete in Mamit, he said.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, during his visit to Aizawl on May 25, had urged Bru leaders to ensure that all the refugees return to Mizoram from Tripura by October end.

READ MORE - Mizoram seeks more time for Bru repatriation

11 Mizoram students who attacked two cops get bail

Pune: A sessions court has granted bail to 11 students of Spicer College in Aundh, who hail from Mizoram and were arrested for allegedly beating up two policemen last month.

The students had reportedly attacked the policemen who were trying to intervene in their dispute. They have been charged under section 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 (assaulting police while performing their duties) of IPC.

On September 17, police control room got a call about the dispute between the students behind the wine shop near Bremen square, after which police constable Tanaji Takle and police naik Balkrishna Dalvi rushed to the spot. While the cops tried to to intervene, the students allegedly attacked them with sticks. Takle was reportedly assaulted with a stone by one of the students but was saved by the helmet he was wearing.

READ MORE - 11 Mizoram students who attacked two cops get bail

Aizawl waste management turns a new leaf

Aizawl, Oct 5 : Mizoram has turned a new leaf in the solid waste disposal problems here with the launch of public-private partnership mode to deal with the same, on the occasion of the World Habitat Day today.

Starting from today, waste disposal in sixty localities (about 80 percent of the entire city) will be carried out under the PPP mode, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation minister Zodintluanga said.

The minister said the government will spend Rs 5,08,500 per week on the waste management in PPP model in the 60 localities.

Not less than 10 per cent of the total expenditure on waste management will be borne by the community, while the rest will be met by the department as grants in aid.

The village councils (local bodies) will take charge of the waste management with the department giving necessary supervision. The village council will collect the community's share of expenditure from the residents.

About 34 sanitation trucks (407) were expected to be put into operation on a daily basis and about 102 labourers would be employed.

The solid waste management in Aizawl had been taken up by sanitation department from 1973, a year after the Mizoram attained the status of Union Territory.

A lone vehicle of the then deputy commissioner was used to carry out the job.

''With the growing urban population, solid wastes have become a major problem in today's Aizawl. The PPP model is expected to solve the problem to a great extent,'' the minister said.

READ MORE - Aizawl waste management turns a new leaf

12,000 units of blood donated in Mizoram

Aizawl: Members of various associations across Mizoram have donated 12,944 units of blood in 10 blood banks from September 2009-2010, according to Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) Project Director, Dr Eric Zomawia. The MSACS director said this while delivering speech at the observation of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on Saturday in Aizawl.

The programme was held at a state’s premier Vanapa Hall in Aizawl amidst hundreds of college students and like minded people.

Lalchungnunga, president of state’s most influential organisation, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) also graced the occasion as chief guest.

Emphasizing the importance of blood donation, Lalchungnunga said, 'Donating blood is one of the most important activities. It can be rightly regarded as helping the needy people. The Mizos should always remember that by donating blood,the donor is a saviour to one’s life'.

The programme was organised by Association for Voluntary Blood Donation (AVBD) in close collaboration with Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS). The president also informed the gathering that among all the 3000 association registered in the state govt., AVBD can be regarded as the most important because of its initiative in saving life by donating blood. ‘Voluntary Blood Donation Award’ was also conferred to deserving associations/groups at the programme.

Lallawmawma (9) of Sesawng village, about 30 kms from Aizawl who is a heart patient also spoke on the occasion. Mentionably, Lallawmawma (9) had so far received 355 units of blood from various voluntary blood donors at a hospital due his heart ailment.

READ MORE - 12,000 units of blood donated in Mizoram

Mizoram pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Aizawl, Oct 4 : Mizoram today paid tributes to the Father of the Nation on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Led by Governor Lt Gen (rtd) M M Lakhera, Mizorams top officials laid floral wreaths at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the morning at Zodin Square here, in the heart of the city.

On the occasion, the Governor recollected Gandhis contributions dedication and self-sacrifice for Indias freedom from the colonial yoke, his sustained campaign against social injustices and unending pursuit for the establishment of a truly secular and harmonious society.

Besides the Governor, Assembly Speaker R Romawia, Home Minister R Lalzirliana, Education Minsiter Lalsawta, Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, Deputy Speaker John Rotluangliana, Parliamentary Secretaries Lalrinmawia Ralte and H Zothangliana, Deputy Chief Whip R L Pianmawia paid homage to the great leader.

READ MORE - Mizoram pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Aizawl depicts electoral history in pictures

Aizawl, Oct 4 : A picture is more powerful than a thousand words.

From the 1950 edition of a leading newspaper covering the countrys first general elections, a polling booth set up for a single voter in a remote Indian village to electronic voting machines transported using elephants - the history of elections in the worlds biggest democracy is frozen in timeless frames here at the first-of-its-kind exhibition.

The exhibition, organised as part of the Election Commission of Indias diamond jubilee was inaugurated by Mizoram Governors Lt Gen (Rtd) M M Lakhera at Aijal Club today in the presence of DAVP deputy director Kishan Ratnani and VIPs of Mizoram.

The Governor said it was nice to see the worded history of Indian Election Commission which has played an important part in establishing democracy in India. The photos on display, most of them clicked during black and white era of photo journalism depicts the history of the election process which has changed over time, from ballot boxes to electronic voting machines.

''The photographs give an account of the complexities of the election process and throw light on enormity of the operations,'' officials said.

A three-day photo exhibition themed India and Election and is to be organised in all the states for a greater participation for a stronger democracy. The exhibition in Mizoram is the fifth in North East, to be followed in Meghalaya and Tripura.

People from all walks of life, including students groups, research scholars, teachers, social workers, administrators, politicians and high dignitaries from the state machinery were part of the exhibition.

READ MORE - Aizawl depicts electoral history in pictures

Mizo IRB Body recovered

Aizawl, Oct 2 : The missing Mizo cop was found dead in New Delhi. Havildar PB Lalsangliana of the Mizoram Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) was missing since September 25 after he had landed in New Delhi for security duty of the Commonwealth Games. His lifeless body was recovered on Wednesday night at a small brook just 7 kms away from his camp in the capital.

The dead body of Havildar PB Lalsangliana from 5th IRB along with 499 strong Mizo contingents from Mizoram had reached New Delhi on September 23. The dead body was first noticed under a bridge by the local residents in the outskirts of New Delhi. On hearing the news Delhi police retrieved the dead body and informed the Mizoram House in New Delhi to verify it.

The dead body was later identified by the Commandant of 5th IR Battalion, Vanlalvena. Postmortem was performed at Lady Hardine Medical College on Thursday. It is not clear the manner in which the Mizo IRB personnel died.

As per scheduled, the dead body will be flown to his native home on Saturday after embalming by a special carrier. Lalsangliana is a permanent resident of Zemabawk, outskirt of Aizawl.

READ MORE - Mizo IRB Body recovered

Second Additional Financing for Mizoram State Roads Project : restructuring

A World Bank Report
The objective of the Second Additional Financing for Mizoram State Roads Project for India is to improve the management and carrying capacity of the Mizoram core state road network.

The additional financing will help finance cost overruns associated with major civil works undertaken.

No changes in the scope of the ongoing project are contemplated (except a reduction in length of roads covered under the rehabilitation and maintenance component).

The expected outcome from the activities to be supported with additional financing will be sustainable improvement in management and carrying capacity of the core state road network in the state of Mizoram.

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Mizoram buys Insas rifles for armed battalions

Aizawl, Sep 30 : The Mizoram government has so far purchased 1,280 INSAS rifles from the Rifle Factory, Icchapore in West Bengal with permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, state home minister R. Lalzirliana informed the state assembly Monday.

Replying to a question from Lalduhoma of the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), Lalzirliana said that the state government paid Rs 28,352 for each indigenous rifle and full payment had been made.

The state police department received the consignment on July two this year, he said, adding that INSAS rifles were distributed to all the armed battalions in the state.

READ MORE - Mizoram buys Insas rifles for armed battalions

Mizoram MNF holds rally condemning Lal Thanhawla govt

Aizawl, Sep 30 : The opposition Mizo National Front today organised a worker's rally here where resolutions were passed condemning the Congress government led by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla for allegedly using the state Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to harass political opponents.

The MNF resolution condemned the recent raid on residents of former chief minister and MNF chief Zoramthanga, his relatives and the former legislator and advisor of the party R Khawpuithanga saying that it was a politically motiviated move ahead of the Aizawl Municipal Council polls.

It said when the chief minister, who holds the Vigilance portfolio, claimed to have no knowledge of the raid, he should take punitive action against the authorities who ordered the raids.

If he failed to take action he should resign immediately, it said.

READ MORE - Mizoram MNF holds rally condemning Lal Thanhawla govt

Mizo IRB Police missing in Delhi

Aizawl, Sep 30 : A Mizo cop who had gone to New Delhi for duty at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games has been missing since September 25.

According to sources, Havildar, PB Lalsangliana of the 5th IR Battalion had been missing since September 25 from the national capital and till date the whereabouts of Lalsangliana is not known.

Search operation is going on in and around New Delhi but till filling of this report, there is no clue of Lalsangliana. 5th IR Commandant C Vanlalvena who led the troops to New Delhi said that the Mizo IRB men had reached New Delhi.

Lalsangliana was wearing half pant and vest when last seen.

Meanwhile, soon after the news broke out, Delhi Mizo Welfare Association also sprang up into actions for search operation.

FIR has also been lodged at police station. Further news is awaited.

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Monsoon session of Mizoram assembly adjourned sine die

Aizawl, Sep 29 (PTI) The 10-day-long monsoon session of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die by the speaker R Romawia this afternoon.

The first Supplementary demand for grants to incorporate the increase in the annual plan outlay, finalised by the Planning Commission after the presentation of the regular budget in March last, was presented by the state chief minister Lal Thanhawla on September 20.

The first supplementary demand amounting to Rs Rs 568.89 crore as presented in the assembly by Lal Thanhawla, who also holds finance portfolio was passed by the assembly on September 22.

Session of the assembly was adjourned for two days from September 23 due to the maiden visit of President Pratibha Patil to this north eastern state.

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No rehabilitation yet for Mizoram's 35,000 fencing victims

Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana has stated that over 35,000 people from 45 villages are needed to be relocated inside fence being constructed along India-Bangladesh border. But Centre is non-committal.

Paritosh Chakma

ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2010, Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana informed the State Assembly that over 35,000 people from 45 villages are required to be relocated inside the fence due to the India-Bangladesh border fencing in Mizoram.

He said this while replying to a question from opposition Mara Democratic Front (MDF) MLA, P P Thawlla. Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said that the state government had approached the Centre many times but each time received the same reply: “We have not done any relocation in other states.”

This is the first time that the issue of rehabilitation for the border fencing victims was discussed in the Mizoram Assembly. There has been a series of protests by the victims over the issues of compensation and rehabilitation but there has been no word from the Centre regarding rehabilitation inside the fence.

Earlier in a RTI reply dated 16th December 2009 the Ministry of Home Affairs (Border Management) has stated that “Neither this Ministry has prepared any plan for rehabilitation nor any proposal has been received in this Ministry from Govt. of Mizoram”.

The move to shift the people came when the Indian government has decided to fence India's 4,095 km border with Bangladesh running through West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram so as to curb infiltration, smuggling, trans-border movement of militants and other anti-national activities.

READ MORE - No rehabilitation yet for Mizoram's 35,000 fencing victims

Mizo Villages Need to be Relocated for Border Fencing

Forty five villages in Mizoram were required to be relocated due to the fencing work on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Of the villages, 29 in Lawngtlai district, seven in Lunglei district and two in Mamit district needed to be relocated, Home Minister R Lalzirliana told the assembly today.

Stating that as the border fencing work was being done by the Centre, the state government had appealed to it to relocate the villages.

"We are waiting for the Centre’s response on the issue," he said, adding that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram was also approached on the issue when he visited the state.

He was replying to a query from opposition Mara Democratic Front (MDF) member P P Thawlla.

Congress member Nirupam Chakma said that according to the contractors one village belonging to Mizoram fell in Bangladesh.

Chakma alleged that the Centre did not have any intention to relocate the villages and water-logging caused by the fencing had destroyed cultivation fields in the area.

Intervening in the discussion, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said that the state government had approached the Centre many times and the reply was always the same: "We have not done any relocation in other states."

READ MORE - Mizo Villages Need to be Relocated for Border Fencing

Fog delays president's departure from Thuampui

President Pratibha Patil's scheduled departure to Agartala from Aizawl was today delayed due to inclement weather.

The IAF helicopter which was to ferry her from Thuampui helipad here to nearby Lengpui airport could not take off due to dense fog, officials said.
Aizawl Traffic superintendent of police Lalbiakzama said the president arrived at Thuampui helipad from the Mizoram University after attending a convocation function but the helicopter could not take off due to dense fog that had enveloped Aizawl city.
"She had to return to the Raj Bhavan at around 2pm to wait for the fog to clear. The helicopter would take off as soon as the low-lying dense fog clears up," Lalbiakzama said.

READ MORE - Fog delays president's departure from Thuampui

President Patil lauds Mizoram University

Aizawl (Mizoram), Sep 24 (ANI): In her convocation address to the Mizoram University here today President Pratibha Patil lauded the University for its high traditions, and said she was glad to know that the university was free from the menace of ragging.

"It is encouraging that older students welcome the new students and help them settle down.

This is also a tribute to the Mizo moral code of Tlawmngaihna which imposes an obligation on all member of society to be hospitable, kind, unselfish and helpful to others," she said.

During the convocation, President Patil awarded gold medals to 27 post graduate and graduate students.

Patil also asked the boys of the varsity to work towards increasing their numbers in the medals tally.

"I see more girls than boys being awarded medals, although it is a good thing but boys should not lag behind," said President Patil.

"One, it should be remembered that a successful life is largely a matter of discipline. But this discipline, in order to be of value, must be largely self-discipline. Second, the development of concentration helps in focusing the mind on the tasks before you. Third, time management helps you manage your tasks effectively by prioritising tasks and completing them as per schedule," she added, while emphasizing on three qualities that should be imbibed by students.

President Patil also asked the Mizoram University to be prepared for challenges emerging from globalisation of economy.

"Educational institutions to be relevant, must take into account the national scenario and global developments to structure a curriculum that caters to the opportunities and challenges that are likely to be faced by students," she said.

President Patil further said the Indian economy is getting integrated with the global economy through the process of globalisation.

"This throws the challenge of being globally competitive. Higher education must, therefore, develop analytical, relative and scientific capability of their students. Universities are institutions for public good and public welfare and have a role in fulfilling national and social responsibilities," said President Patil.

"Education without community participation is incomplete in today's world. I am happy to know that research based on requirement is being conducted here. Students must interact with local communities and understand their problems," she added.

On the occasion, President Patil exhorted that students take up research in bamboo flowering called 'Muatam' and 'Jhum' cultivation, which have caused setbacks to agriculture in the state.

"It is also important that the University creates certain awareness of the adverse impact of climate change and encourages people to adopt energy efficient and eco-friendly measures," she said.

Mizoram Governor and Chancellor of the University Lt Gen (retired) M M Lakhera, who was present on the occasion, said the state needs a boost in medical education.

"About 37 seats are sprinkled across the secondary level medical colleges across the country for Mizo students. I hope that a medical college will start soon in the university," said Lakhera. (ANI)

READ MORE - President Patil lauds Mizoram University

Text reading system in Mizo language

CDAC has an ongoing project 'Text reading system in Mizo language' this system will help in the development of Mizo Text reading System for visually challenged people of Mizoram.

A scanned Mizo-document will be fed to the Mizo-OCR system integrated with the Mizo Text-to-Speech Synthesis system for generating corresponding Voice output in Mizo language.

Text reading system in Mizo language

Duration: 18 Months (Start Date: June 2010, Completion Date: November 2011)

Objective and brief description:

Mizo is the most developed tribal language of the North-East India and is taught in many schools and colleges. Mizo alphabets were made by British Christian Missionaries who came to Mizoram in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. During that time, Mizos were not having any kind of text writing system. So, when British came, they felt that it was necessary to make alphabet system for the people of Mizoram and the alphabets were prepared based on the pronunciation of Mizo language. Before making alphabet system for Mizo people, extensive comparisons were carried out to make a choice between Indian scripts like Hindi, Bengali etc and Roman scripts, which is used by English. Then the missionaries opined that Roman Script was most convenient for the people of Mizoram.

Over the past few years there is a growing need in the Mizo community for a system which can read out Mizo text document for Mizo Blind people. Such text reading system will consist of an Optical Character Recognition in Mizo language and a Mizo TTS (Text –To-Speech) system.

Major objectives of the project are:

Development of Mizo Text reading System for visually challenged people of Mizoram. A scanned Mizo-document will be fed to the Mizo-OCR system integrated with the Mizo Text-to-Speech Synthesis system for generating corresponding Voice output in Mizo language

more from CDAC here http://www.cdacindia.com/html/north-east/ongoing_proj/mizo.aspx

READ MORE - Text reading system in Mizo language

Landslide kills a woman in Mizoram

Aizawl, Sept 13 (PTI) A 30-year-old woman was killed at Tuikual locality here today after a landslide buried her alive near a traditional water source.

The unmarried woman was fetching water with her friend when the landslide hit her as she could not walk fast due to problem in walking.

Her friend managed to avoid the landslide.With this, more than 10 people had died in Mizoram this year due landslides following monsoon downpour.

READ MORE - Landslide kills a woman in Mizoram

Mizoram Anthurium festival 2010 Inaugurated

Aizawl, Sep 11 : Mizoram governor MM Lakhera today inaugurated the two-day long Anthurium Festival at Reiek Tourist Resort.

Anthurium is a popular flower and the festival on the flora has been organised by state tourism department to woo tourists.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor emphasized the need of promoting art, craft and handloom products to attract more tourists from within the country and abroad.

He stated that the State experienced boost in agriculture, horticulture and floriculture products during the last few years and that Mizoram produce one of the best quality anthurium flowers in the country.

The Governor said that the immense potential possessed by the State needs to be propagated and promoted internationally.

Vice Chairman, State Planning Board Lalkhama who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour also spoke on the occasion.

Mizoram Tourism Department that organises this festival, highlighted that the purpose of this festival showcasing the rich Mizo customs and traditions is to draw more inflow of tourists to the State.

The Department in fact earned as much as Rs. 123 lakhs during the past year and the State received 58, 314 tourists including 675 from abroad. At present, the Department has 42 units, 352 rooms and 759 beds.

READ MORE - Mizoram Anthurium festival 2010 Inaugurated

MoU to supply bamboo for incense sticks

MYSORE: The city-based NR Group has signed an MoU with Mizoram Bamboo Development Agency (MBDA) to supply bamboo for making of incense sticks.

The MBDA is promoting bamboo, a major untapped resource in the Northeastern state, as an ecological product. This initiative will promote economic development. The MBDA will propagate this initiative in Mizoram and identify people to be trained by the company in making bamboo sticks.

Mizoram government's secretary R L Rinawma said the state has the highest number of bamboo species in the country and they have launched ambitious programmes to develop the industry in a phased manner. "Presently, the government is concentrating on producing insense sticks from bamboo. The government is pleased to tie up with the NR Group and is confident of revolutionizing the rural economy," he added.

Chairman of NR group, R Guru, said the company hopes to reach out to a significant number of families in the state to support their livelihood.

The company will share its expertise in training people of Mizoram on producing high quality bamboo sticks. Experts from the Group will conduct workshops and training programmes and demonstrate the techniques to local people identified by the MBDA, said a press release.

READ MORE - MoU to supply bamboo for incense sticks

Mizoram Chief Minister warmly welcomed by Mizo Society of America

Aizawl: Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla and his wife Pi Lal Riliani were warmly welcomed on 4th September in Washington DC by the leaders of the Mizo Society of America, besides the Head of Councellor and the Head of Chancery of the Indian Embassy in Washington DC.

The Chief Minister and his wife were invited by the Mizo Society of America as a part of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Society.

He met the representatives of the Mizo communities in America on the 5th September and also met Mr Ashok Chavan, an NRI where they discussed ideas on improving the infrastructure, health and power sectors of the state.

On 6th September, the Chief Minister and his wife took part in the function held to commemorate the 25th Mizo Day by the Mizo Society of America.

The Chief Minister, on 7th September held meetings with the Mr. P. Chatterjee, the Executive Director for India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, World Bank and with Mr. Xianzhu, Vice President for South Asian Region, World Bank.

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Mizo student drowns in JU pond

Kolkata: A student from Mizoram drowned in a pond at Jadvapur University on early Tuesday morning. Jorangthara (22) was in the city to meet his friend Pujan Narjinari — a student of electrical engineering at JU who stayed at the university’s main hostel.

According to the eyewitnesses, Jorangthara was standing alongwith Narjinari by the side of the pond when he slipped and fell into the water. The students raised alarm and tried unsuccessfully to trace him. After the police were informed, divers fished out his body.

The pond, which is located in the main campus, is deep and there have been instances when people have drowned in the pond. A case of unnatural death has been lodged at Jadavpur Police station.

The incident has raised question about the security at the hostel as Jorangthara had put up at the hostel on Monday night without seeking permission. “ We have a rule that anyone staying overnight will have to take permission from hostel superintendent.

In this case, the hostel superintendent was completely unaware about the youth’s presence in the hostel,” said Pradip Kumar Ghosh, Registrar, JU.

READ MORE - Mizo student drowns in JU pond

Heroin seized

Aizawl, Aug 27 (PTI) About 400 grams of heroin have been seized and six persons arresed by police and anti-drug cell of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) here, police said today.

The contraband was seized from the six persons by the joint force last night and it was suspected that the narcotics had been smuggled in from Myanmar via Manipur.

The seized heroin is worth Rs 12 lakh in local market, police said.

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Aizawl to conduct civic polls in October

Aizawl, Aug 26 : The first election to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Council is likely to be held in the third week of October, according to a senior official source in the Mizoram government’s local administration department.

He said today over phone from Aizawl that the total number of voters in the hill-top capital city is 169,072.

The final electoral roll for the municipal council was published in the second week of June this year.

Sources said ward 18 in the southern part of the city will have the largest number of voters at 13,291 while Chandmari in the northern part of the city has the lowest at 6,100.

Of the 19 seats, six will be reserved for women candidates.

Aizawl town, with 11 Assembly constituencies, and its fringe areas had earlier been under the jurisdiction of the village councils.

In the last Assembly polls held in December 2008, the Congress, now in power in Mizoram, romped home bagging eight out of the total 11 seats in Aizawl city and its fringes, which comprise Aizawl municipality areas.

The other three seats were won by the Zomi National Party and Mizoram People’s Conference.

The Congress is hoping to wrest the maximum number of seats in the maiden poll for the Aizawl municipality.

READ MORE - Aizawl to conduct civic polls in October

Mizo youth Caught with cache of Gelatin sticks at Dimapur

Kohima, Aug 26 (PTI) A large number of gelatin sticks along with fuse wires were today seized from a house at Dimapur and four people arrested in this connection, police said.

Sleuths of special branch of Dimapur police seized 1,600 gelatin sticks and 300 meter of fuse wire from a house in Nagarjan area of the commercial town after following suspicious movements of four youths in the areas.

Police said the arrested four youth are from Mizo community and interrogations were on.

READ MORE - Mizo youth Caught with cache of Gelatin sticks at Dimapur

Mizoram ready to take back Bru refugees

Aizawl: The Mizoram government was ready to take back Bru refugees from the six relief camps in North Tripura district before October this year as desired by Union home minister P Chidambaram.

"The ball is in the court of the refugees," chief secretary Van Hela Pachuau told PTI here today.

"The state government is ready and it is now the refugees who should be ready for the repatriation process," he said, adding that it was always the refugees who made excuses when the state government had prepared schedules for their repatriation earlier.

Pachuau said that the state government was making arrangements for the repatriation process, including identification of settlements for the refugees once they were repatriated.

The administration of Mamit district on the Mizoram-Tripura border decided to make final arrangements on August 30, for the re-settlement of the Brus in their villages before they fled Mizoram in 1997 and in 2009.

Hundreds of Brus left Mizoram in 1997 and 2009 after when Bru militants murdered two Mizos, a forest guard in October 21, 1997 and a 17-year-old boy near Bungthuam village on November 13, 2009.

Chidambaram, during his Aizawl visit on May 25 had urged Bru leaders to ensure that all the refugees returned to Mizoram latest by end of October.

READ MORE - Mizoram ready to take back Bru refugees

Compensation of 3 lakhs for death of a Mizo juvenile detainee is highly insensitive and inadequate

New Delhi: The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) termed the award of compensation of Rs. 300,000 by the National Human Rights Commission to the next of kin of 13-year-old child, Lalnunpuia who died as a result of torture in the Herald for Christ’s Children Home at Lungleng in Aizawl, Mizoram on 13 July 2009 (http://www.nhrc.nic.in/display.asp?fno=7/16/1/09-10) as highly insensitive and inadequate. On 17 August 2010, the NHRC directed the State of Mizoram to pay the compensation.

"The award of Rs three lakhs to the next kin of Lalnunpuia smacks of insensitivity of the NHRC and the NHRC must award the same level of compensation for each case of violation of the right to life." - stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of ACHR.

The NHRC took up the case after it received a complaint from the ACHR on 3 August 2009 alleging torture of Lalnunpuia, son of Rinsanga of Chaltlang Lily in Aizawl, Mizoram by the officials of Herald for Christ’s Children Home for alleged disobedience, resulting in his death.

In its report to the NHRC, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Aizawl confirmed that the child died as a result of torture and that there were several injuries on the dead body. Based on the report of the SP, the NHRC issued a show cause notice, among others, asking the state government of Mizoram as to why monetary relief be not given to the next of kin of the deceased.

Replying to the show cause notice as to why monetary relief shall not be paid, the state government of Mizoram urged that the decision be deferred till the conclusion of the criminal trial.

The NHRC rejected the plea of the state government and directed it to pay Rs. 300,000 to the victim’s family. In its order the NHRC stated, “The plea made by the State Govt. is devoid of merit. The proceeding before this Commission is independent of any other proceeding which may be going on at any other forum. Prima-facie there is enough material to prove that the child was subjected to assault and the authorities of the Home failed in their duty to give adequate protection to the child. The State Govt. cannot therefore evade its liability to make monetary amends.”

“The award of compensation is not enough. Unless the culprits are prosecuted, torture and murder of the juveniles will continue to take place. The NHRC must therefore monitor the criminal trial of the accused responsible for murder of Lalnunpuia and ensure their prosecution." - further stated Mr Chakma. 

READ MORE - Compensation of 3 lakhs for death of a Mizo juvenile detainee is highly insensitive and inadequate

Mizo dance to be staged at opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games

Aizawl, Aug 21 : Cheraw dancers of Mizoram will find their place in opening ceremony of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Cheraw dance is a traditional and popular bamboo dance of the Mizos.

Preparation for this purpose in a state-level is going on in full swing.

Dancers from across the state of Mizoram are camping in Aizawl and the final rehearsal was held today in the presence of state's art and culture minister PC Zoramsangliana.

Earlier, the Commonwelath Games 2010 Committee had invited the state government to present its traditional dance.

Around 80 dancers from Mizoram will perform the dance on October 3 in New Delhi.

The state government will bear all the expense of the troupe and in this connection, the minister thanked the Mizoram chief minister for his ceaseless support in terms of money and time.

He also thanked the Commonwealth Games organisers for choosing Mizo youths to perform at the event.

The minister advised the Mizo youths not to only showcase the dance but also to expose the good nature, discipline and character of true Mizos.

The selected 40 boys and 40 girls are now rehearsing in full swing.

The team is headed by its leader Lalchuailova, Research Officer, art and culture department and Ngurmawii Ralte, Instructor at the Mizoram's art & culture department, it is learned today.

It can be noted that Mizoram had already found its way into the Guinness World Records with a 'Cheraw' performance featuring 10,736 participants on March 12 this year.

READ MORE - Mizo dance to be staged at opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games