Thursday, July 19, 2012

Mizoram MLAs vote for President

40 members of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly along with the rest of the country today cast their votes in the Presidential election. Former chief minister and Aizawl West-II MLA Brig T Sailo, 90, the oldest MLA, was the first to cast his vote. The observer for the presidential poll, Rajiv Kumar, joint secretary of the ministry of finance, and the two assistant returning officers - Ngurthanzuala and Vanlalnghena, secretary and additional secretary respectively of Mizoram Assembly, ensured the smooth conduct of the election in Mizoram. The value of the vote of each MLA of Mizoram legislative assembly is eight and the total value of votes of all the MLAs and MPs across the country is 10,98,882. The ballot box will be kept under tight security tonight in the Strong Room of the Aizawl Treasury and will be flown to Delhi tomorrow. Mr Pranab Mukherjee's party Indian National Congress has 32 members in the 40-seat assembly. The remaining eight MLAs belonging to four parties voted for P A Sangma.
READ MORE - Mizoram MLAs vote for President

Mizoram allocates Rs.410 crore to end 'jhum cultivation'

Aizawl, July 20 — Under its New Land Use Policy (NLUP), Mizoram is laying emphasis on ending the age-old "jhum" shifting cultivation and has allocated Rs.410 crore in this year's budget to enable about 30,000 more tribal families to shift to stable farming, a minister said Tuesday.
"In this year's state budget, Rs.370 crore has been earmarked for the execution of the NLUP. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana, Rs.40 crore has also been sanctioned for the same NLUP," Mizoram Finance Minister H. Liansailova told the state assembly during its on-going budget session.
He said: "Already 90,139 farmers families have benefited under the state government's flagship scheme, and 29,861 more families would be benefited during this financial year."
"The Planning Commission has appreciated the Mizoram government for launching such a unique scheme. The NLUP's success could be a model for other northeastern states," he added.
The Mizoram government initiated its New Land Use Policy (NLUP) in January 2010 to put an end to the age-old shifting or slash-and-burn method of cultivation, and help the tribal farmers to shift to stable cultivation of various cash crops.
The minister claimed that after launching the NLUP, 'jhum' cultivation areas have been reduced by 42 percent and as such the forest cover has been increased in these areas.
This shifting form of farming usually involves cutting down of entire forests in the hills, allowing the slashed vegetation to dry on mountain slopes prior to burning and sowing of new crops. Rice is inter cropped with vegetables, maize, cotton, mustard and so on.
The NLUP aims to restore ecological balance by providing the farmers alternative sustainable and permanent land-based means of livelihood.
It also aims to create 21,480 hectares of bamboo plantation to benefit 10,740 families.
Mizoram has a large forest cover area of 75.77 percent of the total land.
According to an official report, the NLUP intends to keep 60 percent of the state's total geographical area under forest cover and bring the rest under land-based development.
About 80 percent of farmers in mountainous Mizoram, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, still depend on "jhum" cultivation.
READ MORE - Mizoram allocates Rs.410 crore to end 'jhum cultivation'

Central Assistance Sanctioned to Mizoram

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has sanctioned the Central Assistance of Rs. 47,90,000/- and Rs. 57,90,000/- in the month of July, 2012 to the Mizoram State Sports Council for Lower Level Rural Competitions under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) for the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively.

Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) aims at development and maintenance of playfields in village and block panchayats across the country and organizing annual sports competitions from block to national levels is implemented through the State Government/UTs.

Under the PYKKA, which was introduced in 2008-09, playfields are developed and maintained in villages and block panchayats across the country in a phased manner and competitions are conducted annually at block, district, state and national level. 51,759 village panchayats and 1,538 block panchayats have been covered under the PYKKA Scheme, during the last four years (2008-09 to 2011-12) for development and maintenance of playfields.
READ MORE - Central Assistance Sanctioned to Mizoram

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tributes paid to former Mizoram MLAs

Aizawl, Jul18 : Mizoram Assembly today paid rich tributes to former minister Zalawma and first elected Mizo woman legislator L Thanmawii who died on June 28 and July six last respectively.

House leader Lal Thanhawla made obituary references on the demise of the two leaders and opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) leader R Lalthangliana, Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) leader Lalduhawma and Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) member Lalthansanga also spoke in the assembly.

They said that both the departed leaders contributed a lot for the welfare of the people of Mizoram in many fields. The assembly observed one-minute silence to pay last respects to the two leaders in the House.
READ MORE - Tributes paid to former Mizoram MLAs

Monday, July 16, 2012

Mizoram gears up for Presidential poll

The preparation for the Presidential election in the sate began today with the arrival of ballots boxes here.

Joint CEO H Lalengmawia and assembly additional secretary Vanlalnghenga received the six ballot boxes from Election Commission at Lengpui Airport. From there the ballots boxes brought to strong room at the state's treasury under tight security. The polling will be conducted at Assembly lobby on July 19. Sources said, ballot papers to be used in the presidential election were printed under the supervision of state election department.

Tight security measures have been made in and around the Assembly premises on the eve of presidential election. Soon after the polling, the officials will fly to Delhi with polled ballot boxes. UPA nominee is sure to get maximum votes from the Congress-ruled Mizoram.

All the opposition parties, Mizo National Front, Mizoram People's Conference and Zoram Nationalist Party will vote for P A Sangma. MNF with its ally MDF, has four MLAs and one Rajya Sabha member, ZNP two MLAs and MPC two MLAs.
READ MORE - Mizoram gears up for Presidential poll

Mizoram budget presented in assembly today

Aizawl, Jul 17 : Mizoram budget for the current fiscal amounting to Rs 5,176.25 crore sans any new tax proposals was today presented by state Finance Minister H Liansailova in the Assembly. The budget estimate comprised non-plan allocation of Rs 2,724.36 crore, state plan of Rs 2,300 crore, allocation under North Eastern Council (NEC) and Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) at Rs 40.95 crore and allocation under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) at Rs 110.93 crore. Liansailova did not propose any fresh increase in the rates of taxes or levy new taxes, but announced that user charges on water supply, increased earlier and later kept on abeyance due to opposition from some section of the public, would be revived. For the first time in the history of Mizoram, Rs 20 lakh was earmarked for promotion of visual arts and to create conducive environment for encouragement of film industry. It was also announced that the MLA Local Area Development Scheme would be enhanced from Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore, an increase of 20 per cent, implying that each of the 40 constituencies would receive Rs 30 lakh as against Rs 25 during the last fiscal.
READ MORE - Mizoram budget presented in assembly today

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Bail of HPC-D leaders is court’s authority: ZNP

Aizawl : Hitting back at the Mizoram Congress and the Young Mizo Association’s (YMA) for supporting Home Minister R. Lalzirliana remarks that “the two arrested Hmar Peoples’ Convention-D leaders would be granted bail by the government only if they promise to follow the government terms,” Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) said that “whenever one appeal for ‘release on bail’, it is the court’s decision whether to release or not; and this is not the decision the government can take.”

The ZNP said that the Congress government has violated the very basis of the Constitution of India and that it has lost the confidence of the people of the state.

ZNP party Sr. Vice President R.Lalawia said Home Minister Lalzirliana’s remarks could be taken as “contempt of court”.

“This is a legal issue, not a political issue as some groups/ NGO, even by taking it as a bias for the HPC-D,” the party said in a press statement on Saturday.

The opposition party also said that such remarks has created “complete misunderstandings”.

The procedure of ‘release on bail’ for any citizen of India arrested by the police, is clearly mentioned in section 436 – 439 Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), ZNP stated, adding, “Through this law, the court realease or do not release on bail; it is not the power of the government”.

Stating that the “enmity” that began between the CYMA and HPC (D), “is in fact not even from the statement of CYMA Committee, but only from one leader of CYMA; therefore, all the Branch YMA, and all the seals be returned back to its normal state,” ZNP said.
READ MORE - Bail of HPC-D leaders is court’s authority: ZNP

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Mizo Zirlai Pawl to conduct census of 'foreigners'

AIZAWL: Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students' Federation on Thursday decided to conduct a census of the population of "foreigners" in Mizoram, especially Chakmas, who, it alleged, illegally migrated to the state.

At a meeting of its Federal Council at Tlabung, a town in Lunglei district along the the Mizoram-Bangladesh border, the MZP also urged the Chakma Autonomous District Council authorities to allow only bona fide residents to settle in the state while implementing resettlement of people displaced by Indo-Bangladesh border fencing. The students' body also decided to take steps to ensure that Mizo couples produce more children to preserve their ethnicity, a source said.
READ MORE - Mizo Zirlai Pawl to conduct census of 'foreigners'

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mizo body wants stray dog remark discussed in House

AIZAWL: The Former Legislators' Association of Mizoram (FLAM) is making efforts to ensure that the 'insulting' remarks of a legislator in the Punjab assembly against Mizoram and Nagaland on stray dogs be deliberated in the Mizoram assembly, scheduled to begin on July 16.

The FLAM sent letters to presidents of the ruling Congress, the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) urging them to take up the matter in the legislature.

"We appealed to the presidents of the political parties to move a private resolution in the state legislature on the issue to ensure deliberation of the 'insulting' remarks of the Punjab MLA," KL Rochama, FLAM leader said.

Congress legislator Ajit Singh Mofar moved a resolution in the Punjab assembly on June 28 seeking to tackle the stray dog problem in the state by sending them to China, Mizoram or Nagaland for "whatever they do to them". "We can make arrangements to catch the dogs, put them in jungle or zoos or send them to China, Nagaland and Mizoram where they are needed," he was reported as saying.
READ MORE - Mizo body wants stray dog remark discussed in House

MZP to conduct head-count of 'foreigners'

Aizawl, Jul 12 : Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Federation today decided to conduct census of the population of foreigners in Mizoram, especially Chakmas who, it alleged, illegally migrated to the state, MZP sources said.

At a meeting of its Federal Council at Tlabung, a town in Lunglei district along the Mizoram-Bangladesh border, the MZP also urged the Chakma Autonomous District Council authorities to allow only bona fide residents to settle in the state while implementing resettlement of people displaced by Indo-Bangladesh border fencing.

The student body also decided to take steps to ensure that Mizo couples produce more children better preserve their ethnicity amidst others, the sources said.

The MZP was also of the view that the State Council of Education, Research and Training (SCERT) should produce text books which stressed unity among the ethnic Mizos, the sources said.
READ MORE - MZP to conduct head-count of 'foreigners'

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Chidambaram says Mizoram did its duty to bring back Brus

Aizawl, Jul 11 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today received a pat on the back from Union Home Minister P Chidambaram over the state government's efforts in repatriation of Bru refugees from relief camps in Tripura.

The Mizoram government fulfilled its responsibilities to bring back the refugees, an official statement quoting Chidambaram said here today.

The Home Minister said some of the Mizo leaders created problems by opposing and obstructing the process for their own personal benefits.
READ MORE - Chidambaram says Mizoram did its duty to bring back Brus

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hmar students in Mizoram cry discrimination

Aizawl, Jul 6 : The Hmar Students' Association (HSA) has demanded that the government of Mizoram stop "segregating" the Hmar people. In a memorandum submitted to the Mizoram government through Kolasib district deputy commissioner on Tuesday, the Hmar students' body reacted to the direction of state government of Mizoram to take measures not to allot/issue house passes to the 'Hmar refugees'; measures to segregate them from the local population and not to issue job cards under MGNREGS to the Hmars in Mizoram and measures be taken not to enroll the Hmar refugees in the ensuing special revision of electoral roll, 2012 in Mizoram. The memorandum stated that Mizoram chief secretary Vanhela Pachuau, along with officials from various departments, had a meeting on October 20, 2011 and derived a segregationist resolution against the Hmar tribe.

The meeting directed the home department to take necessary actions against the Hmar tribe on mentioned above points, the memorandum alleged.

" The order, by ostracizing the Hmar tribe, spelt out measures to deny the community of their constitutional and citizenship rights. It stands against the rightful interests of a community whose rights and entitlement cannot be suppressed by a bias and unjust order. The insensitive order is detrimental to the unity and integration of the Mizos; it stands opposed to the collective interests of the same and negates the Hmar tribe of their fundamental rights. The assented order is parallel to the Nuremberg Laws that was dictated by Adolf Hitler under the Nazis, " said the memorandum.

The memorandum further stated that the Hmar peoples cannot be "refugees" in Mizoram; and shall never be. Taking strong exception to the government order, the students body alleged that it amounts to a pogrom and genocide of Hmar peoples' rights.

" The Government of Mizoram is doggedly institutionalising injustice against the Hmar peoples with the uncalled-for order, " said the memorandum signed by HSA general headquarters president Lalthlamuana Hmar.

The students' body demanded the Mizoram home department to immediately abrogate and withdraw its 'inhumane order' and secure the rights and entitlement of the Hmar peoples of Mizoram according to the Constitution of India; stop targeting the Hmar peoples' as outsiders or "refugees"; stop segregating the Hmar peoples' and the Hmar peoples' of Mizoram be granted the rights to house pass/site, job card under MGNREGS and register in the electoral roll/census.
READ MORE - Hmar students in Mizoram cry discrimination

Mizoram CM, ministers to campaign for Pranab

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and majority of his members of council of ministers Thursday left Aizawl for Guwahati reportedly to campaign for UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, sources in the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee said.

Except for Home minister R. Lalzirliana, Finance minister H Liansailova, Transport Minister P C Zoramsangliana, Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo and Parliamentary secretary to the CMO Lal Thanzara,and those out of station, all the ministers and parliamentary secretaries accompanied Lal Thanhawla.

Mukherjee's opponent, Purno A. Sangma being a tribal from the north east and also a Christian by faith prompted the Congress bigwigs in the Christian-dominated tribal state to launch massive campaign for the UPA nominee, the sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition regional parties like the Mizo National Front and the Mizoram People's Conference have announced that their legislators would vote for Sangma as he belonged to a scheduled tribe from the north east and a Christian.

The two parties also made appeal to all the MPs and the MLAs in the north east region to support Sangma's candidature.
READ MORE - Mizoram CM, ministers to campaign for Pranab

Mizo National Front slams Punjab MLA for stray dog remark

AIZAWL: The Mizoram opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) took strong exception to the resolution moved by Congress legislator Ajit Singh Mofar in the Punjab assembly regarding the disposal of stray dogs in Punjab to China, Nagaland and Mizoram. The MNF demanded that Mofar tender a public apology to the people of the northeast. Congress legislator Ajit Singh Mofar moved a resolution in the Punjab assembly on Thursday seeking to tackle the stray dog problem in the state by sending them to China, Mizoram or Nagaland for "whatever they do to them".

"We can make arrangements to put the stray dogs in jungles and zoos or send them to China, Nagaland and Mizoram where they are needed more. Stray dogs are a big nuisance. It is impossible to even go for walks because of them," he said.

The MNF, in a press statement, urged the ruling Congress party of the state led by chief minister Lal Thanhawla to pressurize the Punjab Congress legislator to immediately apologize to the people of the northeast. The party regarded the resolution of the MLA as well as his statement in the Punjab legislature as an insult to not only the people of Mizoram and Nagaland but the entire northeast.

"Some Mizos eat dog meat, but not the meat of stray dogs," the statement said, adding that the Congress legislator's insulting remarks might have stemmed from Lal Thanhawla's statement during the recent Aizawl municipal council polls, where he called the opposition party workers 'Uitang rual' meaning stray dogs.

"The Congress party, which was also in power at the Centre in the 1960s, claimed that the Indian Air Force was only dropping food to the people of Mizoram, while in reality they were dropping bombs to kill innocent people," the statement alleged. The MNF added that the national party always insults the Mizo people and disseminates wrong information about the northeast.

The MNF statement also slammed the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), especially its chief Lal Thanhawla for remaining silent in the issue and thus, "concurring with the Punjab MLA".

"While the statement of the Punjab Congress legislator drew flaks from across the country, Lal Thanhawla and the MPCC remained silent and unmoved, leading to the belief that the Congress units in Mizoram and Punjab have a hidden agenda to insult the sentiments of the people of the northeast," the statement added.
READ MORE - Mizo National Front slams Punjab MLA for stray dog remark

Mizo cultural troupe for UK

AIZAWL, July 6 – In its endeavor to present Mizo cultural dances all over the world, a Mizo cultural troupe will participate at the 37th Alnwick International Music Festival to be held at Newcastle in the United Kingdom from August 4 to 11 this year.

In this connection, Mizoram Art & Culture Minister PC Zoramsangliana met Union Minister for Culture Kumari Selja in New Delhi on June 29 and discussed various measures to be taken for this purpose. The Union Minister had reportedly expressed readiness on the part of her ministry that necessary steps will be taken so that the Mizo cultural troupe can participate at the said music festival.

Zoramsangliana also met Indian Council for Cultural Relations President Dr.Karan Singh in this connection. The Mizo Minister, in his meeting, with British High Commission Sir James Bevan in New Delhi on Tuesday apprised the latter that the Mizo cultural troupe will perform at the international music festival. The High Commissioner assured the minister that his office will take necessary steps for the members.

The High Commissioner also agreed to visit Mizoram in the near future and said that he would attend Chap Char Kut celebration next year.
READ MORE - Mizo cultural troupe for UK

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Assam Rifles to plant 10,000 trees in Mizoram

Assam Rifles Wednesday embarked upon a fortnight-long "Go Green" programme to plant at least 10,000 saplings across the state of Mizoram.

"The 'Go Green Fortnight' aims at saving, regenerating flora and fauna, reclaiming the natural setting and preserve ecological balance in mountainous Mizoram," an official release said.

The paramilitary personnel will plant at least 10,000 saplings of ornamental, fruit trees, medicinal plants, and costly wood trees on road sides, bordering areas and virgin lands, said the release.

The troopers will be helped by villagers and members of the Young Mizo Association. in the campaign.
READ MORE - Assam Rifles to plant 10,000 trees in Mizoram

Assam Rifles detain two Burmese soldiers in the North-eastern state of Mizoram

The Indian paramilitary group responsible for maintaining the security along Indo-Myanmarese border, the Assam Rifles, today announced that they have detained two soldiers from Myanmar. The arrest was made in the Champhai district, in the state of Mizoram. So far there has been no official announcement from the Myanmarese side relating to the incident.

According to the Indian sources, the detained Myanmarese soldiers had crossed the border illegally and were intimidating farmers on the Indian side of the border, when they were detained. Local sources claimed that the soldiers had demanded 100,000 Myanmarese Kyat from a Mizo farmer, and threatened him with weapons when he refused to pay the amount.

Personnel from Assam Rifles were undertaking routine patrol missions when they spotted the Myanmarese soldiers near the village of Ngur, who were armed with AK-47 machine guns and other weapons. The paramilitary forces detained the Myanmarese and handed them over to the local police department. An official from the Champhai police station informed the media that the detained foreigners will be produced before a magistrate within the next few hours.

Meanwhile, the Indian officials estimate that around 60,000 Myanmarese citizens live in Mizoram illegally, and local Mizo groups have threatened violence against what they see as an “influx of foreigners”. The illegal refugees, most of them belong to the Kuki-Chin ethnic group claims that they face harassment and discrimination in Myamnar.

Recently the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) had asked the Mizoram state government to take necessary steps to check the influx of ethnic Chin in to its territory. In a related development, the Mizoram police deported 16 Myanmarese citizens last week. The state government of Mizoram claimed that they have so far deported more than 300 Myammarese nationals, after the directive was received from the MHA.

Ethnic tensions are not new in Myanmar, which is having a population of only around one million. Most of the population is Christian Mizo, but recently a large number of Buddhist Chakma from Bangladesh has settled down there, making up close to 8% of the population. The state is also home to another minority, the Hindu Reang (Kau-Bru). Almost all the Reang were driven out from Mizoram after the ethnic riots of 1990s, and now live in the refugee camps in neighbouring states.
READ MORE - Assam Rifles detain two Burmese soldiers in the North-eastern state of Mizoram

Mizoram People's Conference to support PA Sangma

The Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) on Wednesday announced that the party would support Purno A Sangma in the Presidential elections on July 19.

MPC leaders said that they decided to vote for Sangma as he was a tribal from the Northeastern region and also a Christian.

"It is high time that the country has a president from the scheduled tribe and also a Christian," they said after a meeting of the party high command led by Lalhmangaiha Sailo, the son of former chief minister Brig T Sailo.

The MPC has two legislators in the 40-member assembly. With each MLA having eight votes, the MPC has 16 votes.
READ MORE - Mizoram People's Conference to support PA Sangma

Monday, July 2, 2012

MNF slams Mizoram Congress

Aizawl, July 3 : Former chief minister and Mizo National Front leader Zoramthanga slammed chief minister Lalthanhawla, calling him an “agent of Indian nationalism” at a function organised by the former underground outfit to mark the 26th anniversary of Remna Ni, Mizoram Peace Accord Day, today.

This day marks the laying down of arms by the MNF and signing of the Peace Accord in 1986 between the MNF and the Centre.

At the MNF party headquarters, Zoramthanga, warned the people to be careful of Vai (Indian) nationalism. “Our God-given peace has to be protected and defended and this can only be done by being guarded and vigilant against Vai nationalism,” he said in his address to the party workers.

He said though it was a historical day for the Mizo people, the Congress was not interested in celebrating this great day with respect.

The ruling Congress, however, has earmarked jobs for the families of MNF returnees and families of so called martyrs who died for the cause.

Manhunt

Two days after a vicious highway murder, a state-wide hunt is on for five absconding persons, allegedly involved in the murder of a truck driver and the assault of his handyman on the Lunglei-Aizawl highway.

The culprits also hijacked the truck, which was ferrying FCI rice.

Aizawl SP L.R. Dingliana said a driver from Karimganj, H. Uddin, was found dead on the highway near Hmuifang, in the wee hours of June 29, while his severely injured handyman, Amir Uddin, was brought to a nearby PHC by a passerby. The victim said one of the five passengers had taken the wheel and was speeding, incurring cautionary words from the driver.

This started an argument and the truck driver feared the worst. The truck driver jumped off the vehicle, and reported the matter to the nearest police station, Sialsuk.

The second driver and the handyman, however, could not escape and were found on the outskirts of Hmuifang, the former dead with a slit throat and handyman stabbed but still alive. According to their statements, not all among the five are from the locality.
READ MORE - MNF slams Mizoram Congress

Rape protest in Mizoram

Aizawl, July 3 : The villagers of Lalnutui village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district today took out a procession to protest the alleged rape of a Class VIII student by the headmaster of Lalnutui Upper Primary School.

The accused Lalngaihsanga is a resident of Lunglei town and allegedly raped the student while giving her tuition in his temporary residence at Lalnutui village, the police said.

The villagers and students union of the area demanded that the service of the accused be terminated and be punished in accordance with the law, sources said.
READ MORE - Rape protest in Mizoram