iMizoram : Blog Title the same as above

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Mizoram Staffer jailed for swindling funds

A woman cashier of the Cooperation department under the Mizoram Government was sentenced yesterday to two-year imprisonment for swindling public money to the tune of Rs 26 lakh way back in 1994.

Official sources said the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge K L Liana in Aizawl found the cashier, Lalengmawii guilty of misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 26 lakh.

A fast-track court had earlier in 2010 awarded the woman with a one-month jail term and a fine of Rs 1,50,000. Not satisfied with the verdict, the public prosecutor appealed in the higher court, seeking lifetime imprisonment.

However, the cashier's lawyer pleaded the court for leniency for the 56-year-old widow having age-related ailments. After the verdict was pronounced on Tuesday, Lalengmawii was sent to Aizawl Central Jail.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Aizawl civil hospital moves out of town

The Mizoram government is taking expeditious steps to shift five departments from Aizawl civil hospital in the heart of the city to yet-to-be completed Falkawn Referral Hospital on the southern periphery of the city. Members of working committee on operationalisation of referral hospital, led by its chairman and parliamentary secretary for health department S Laldingliana, visited the referral hospital to clear grounds for shifting of five departments by November end. "Expeditious steps are being taken to shift departments of medicines, surgery, paediatrics, dental, gynaecology and anaesthesia before the end of November," official sources said. Health minister Lalrinliana Sailo, who visited the referral hospital on Saturday, with the shifting of five departments, the Aizawl Civil Hospital will be downsized to 100 beds from the existing 285 beds, including ten beds in the emergency department. "With 60 to 70 patients admitted on a daily basis, the civil hospital is unable to meet the public demand. The shifting of five departments at the Falkawn Referral Hospital aims to increase the civil hospital's capacity," he said. In the meantime, the emergency department and trauma centre at the Aizawl civil hospital will enlarged and upgraded. Shifting of Aizawl civil hospital's departments to Falkawn Referral Hospital, about 15 kilometres from Aizawl, is also done in view of the growing congestion the city, the minister said.

According to Congress party's release, the Lal Thanhawla government during its previous tenure in 1998 floated tender for construction of Falkawn Referral Hospital at the cost of Rs 41 crore. When the Congress party came back to power in 2008, chief minister Lal Thanhawla persuaded the DoNER ministry to sanction Rs 4.61 crore to revive the hospital, allegedly "ruined" by the MNF government. With this fund, the Congress cleared unpaid bills amounting to Rs 1.2 crore to contractors.

Man burns himself to death in Mizoram

Vanlalhruaii, a woman in Kolasib in northern Mizoram, was terrified by the sight of charred body of a man inside her kitchen garden this morning.

She became extremely shocked when it was discovered that it was her husband. Police source said Vanlalsiama, 46, who had developed mental disorders, apparently burnt himself to death. As they suspected no foul play, the dead body was buried without any postmortem.

The body was charred beyond recognition and it was identified from the pieces of clothes and slippers.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Man jailed for raping daughter in Mizoram

Aizawl: A court in Aizawl has convicted a man of raping his own 13-year-old daughter and sentenced him to four-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000.

The 43-year-old Lalchhuanthanga was awarded light sentence on Friday by the court of the Additional Sessions Judge due to extreme good behaviour in jail and the fact that his four children needed his care.

Police said that Lalchhuanthanga, in an inebriated state, raped his own daughter on March 26 last year inside his house in Serchhip town and was arrested after leaders of the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), the Mizo women federation, filed FIR with the police.

He was looking after his four children after his wife eloped with another man and migrated to Malaysia when the children were very young, police said.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

`Mizos in Manipur an integral part of the state`

By Alex Guite

LAMKA, October 25 : The Mizo ZillaiPawl, MZP Manipur today celebrated its diamond jubilee at its Hmuia veng, Lamka Churachandpur joint head quarter hall.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Commissioner Lungmuana Lakher said Mizos are an integral part of the Manipuri society in every sense and should not feel alienated from the mainstream Manipuris.

The chief guest’s speech was echoed later by the functional president Commissioner JC Ramthanga.

Meanwhile, the chief guest quoted the 2001 census statistics and referred that among the tribes in Manipur, the Mizos constitute 2% but have all along provided their service for the good of Manipur.

He also expressed his apprehension that the present generation of Mizos haven’t witness Imphal, the state capital as the older generation who set up MZP (Manipur) at Ngathal village way back in 1952 did.

The functional president also joined in chorus with the chief guest and added that the Mizos of today seem to be swept and influence excessively by their brothers in Mizoram.

He urged the youth that they are no son of a lesser God, both the chief guest and the functional president urged the Mizo Zillai (student) to attain high standard of perfection in their studies, uphold the virtue and philanthropic virtues which is the hallmark of the Mizos all along their history.

Meanwhile the slump in the success rate of the Mizo zillai in the state civil service was one of the major worries of the dignitaries present.

Some of the important highlight of the programs are the beating of the traditional gong starting from the chef guest followed by the functional president and latter by the who`s who of MZP Manipur who numbered around 57.

The programs reach its climax when the artist of the Mizos (and the Mizos had artist in full supply) who took the stage in between the items.

The function could also be said as grand with participation from different leaders of student organizations of Churachandpur. Tributes were also paid to the departed members and memento presented to the bygone leaders of MZP Manipur during the diamond jubilee celebration.

The secretary of MZP Manipur also reported and highlighted the achievements and steps taken by the organization like giving meritorious award to students who excel in their studies.

He also mentioned that the organization has been urging the Govt. to sanction two post of lecturer in Mizo subject.

The day-time function ended with a prayer from the local Pastor.

The celebration will continue in the night graced by Manipur Outer MP Thangso Baite as chief guest.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Mizos get off to flying start

Playing his first match of the tournament, Ramdintluanga pumped six goals as Government High School, Kawnpui from Mizoram, crushed a hapless Motilalal Nehru Sports School 11-0 in their Pool E match of the 30th Nehru sub-junior (U-15) hockey at Shivaji Stadium. The Mizo school needed just four minutes to take the lead through a penalty corner stroke and had already surged to a 6-0 lead by half time. In the second half they slowed down just a bit, scoring five more.
While the match was the most lopsided of the day, there were a couple of others that came close. Mohd. Sadiq scored a hattrick as Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow thrashed St. Anthony’s HS, Meghalaya 6-0 while Harprit Singh also contributed three and Rahul Kumar and Shubham, two apiece in NCC’s 9-0 demolition of Shri KN Shah High School, Modasa, Gujarat. Government Boy’s School, Gurgaon rallied from a 2-0 deficit to level 2-2. They were ultimately overwhelmed 8-2 by Malwa Khalsa Sr. Secondary School, Ludhiana.

Mizo Zirlai Pawl, MZP, Manipur, celebrating Golden Jubilee - At YMA Hall Hmuia Veng - - 24 Oct 2012

The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, MZP, Manipur, is celebrating its Golden Jubilee
on the 24th October
from 11 : 30 am
at YMA Hall Hmuia Veng
under the theme "Unity is Strenght"

The main days programme will be attended as chief guest by L. Lakher IAS and commisioner govt of Manipur , JC Ramthanga IAS Commissioner , govt of Manipur , T . Pachuau IPS IG L&O and the DC / Ccpur Jacintha Lazurus IAS as chief guest, functional president, guests of honor and as special guest respectively.

The night programme will be graced as chief guest by Thangso Baite MP, Lok Sabha and as functional president and guest of honor resspectively by Thiangmingmawia President MZP general headquarters and V Zathanga IPS Addl DGP.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Barak Valley delegation meets Mizoram CM

AIZAWL, Oct 22 – In a move to bridge the already widened gap between Assam and Mizoram following the recent boundary dispute, Barak Valley Peace Delegation recently met Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla at his residence and held a discussion with him on the boundary issue and other inter-State matters.

Lal Thanhawla said that the boundary issue is to be settled by the two States of Assam and Mizoram and the Central Government. He, however, added that as it will take a long time in settling the problem, it is best to negotiate and solve all the problems through discussions around the table.

Regarding the erection of boundary pillar at Mizo paddy fields and demolishing the same is but a cowardice act, the Chief Minister said, and mentioned his plan to discuss the boundary issue with higher authority. Regarding the entry of labourers at Vairengte without ILP, the Chief Minister said “it is the best to continue what has been carried on since long time before.” As we are all citizens of India, what we want is to live by showing respect to each other”, Lalthanhawla said.

Regarding the Hindustan Paper Mill in Cachar, Lal Thanhawla said that bamboo is a national asset, and therefore it is planned to be utilised properly, for which the Mahal system has been stopped. In order that bamboo may provide the maximum possible benefit for the Mizos, one chipping plant has been set up, he said and assured the delegation that he will decide on how to provide such chipped bamboo to meet the requirement of the Paper Mill.

Lal Thanhawla also agreed to consider the proposal to set up a Grievance Cell in order to bring immediate solution to any problem between the two States.

Last month, tension had cropped up in the Mizoram-Assam border following the distmantling of a border pillar near Vairengte and Dhalai.

Constituted by the Government of Mizoram as an initiative on the boundary dispute issue with Assam, Mizoram State Boundary Committee (MSBC) had submitted its finding to the State Government.

Assam and Mizoram share a common border of 123 kilometres. MPC had proposed that the problem on the boundary dispute could be solved by constituting a boundary commission and by way of negotiation.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Peoples Conference to merge with MNF in Mizoram

The Peoples Conference has reportedly agreed to merge with the main opposition party - the Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, PC party sources said today.

Sources in the PC party said that the high command deliberated on merging with the MNF and decided to merge with the bigger party.

MNF sources also said that they had received positive response from the PC party on the proposed merger of the two parties and that the merger was expected to be formalised soon.

The PC party led by former Deputy Chief Minister Lalhmingthanga is a breakaway group of the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) founded by former chief minister Brigadier Thenphunga Sailo.

The former broke away after Brig T Sailo retired from active politics and his son Lalhmangaiha Sailo took over the top job of the party due to intra-party squabbles and race for the top post.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Four die in landslides in Mizoram

Four people have died and several places remained inaccessible due to road blockade caused by landslides during the past 24 hours as heavy rains lashed Mizoram since Wednesday night, police said.

The driver and operator of an excavator and the driver of a private vehicle were killed following a massive landslide near Dapchhuah village on the Mizoram-Tripura border Mamit district last evening.

While the body of Nasim Uddin, working under Muzir Uddin, operator of the excavator was found search for the bodies of Muzir Uddin and Lalnunsiama, the driver of the vehicle, was on till today.

Muzir Uddin and Nasim Uddin were clearing the debris on the road when another massive landslide occurred killing them. Meanwhile, Lalnunsiama, who had boarded the excavator while waiting for the road to be cleared, was also killed as the excavator was swept off the road in the landslide, police said.

In another incident, an excavator met with an accident near Kawnpui town in the Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district yesterday in which the operator Ramdinthara was killed on the spot. The National Highway 54 linking Aizawl with the rest of the country was blocked in many places especially near Kawnpui due to the heavy landslide.

Power supply and telecommunication were also disrupted in many places due to heavy rainfall and landslides triggered by incessant downpour.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Barak Valley Peace Delegation meets Mizoram CM

Aizawl, Oct 8 : In a move to bridge the already widened gap between Assam and Mizoram following the recent boundary fiasco, Barak Valley Peace Delegation today met Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla at his residential bungalow, and held a discussion with him on boundary issue and other important inter-state related matters.

Lal Thanhawla said that the boundary issue is to be settled by the two states of Assam and Mizoram and the central government, and as it will take long time in settling the problem it is the best to negotiate and solve all the problems through table-talk.

Regarding the erection of boundary pillar at Mizo paddy fields and demolishing the same is but a cowardice act, Chief Minister said, and mentioned his plan to discuss the boundary issue with higher authority.

Regarding entry of labourers at Vairengte without ILP referred to by Peace Delegation member, Chief Minister replied that "it is the best to continue what has been carried on since long time before." As we are all citizens of India, what we want most is to live with showing respect to each other" CM lalthanhawla said.

Regarding Hindustan Paper Mill in Cachar, Lal Thanhawla said that bamboo is a national asset, and therefore it is planned to be utilised it helpfully and skilfully, for which Mahal system has also been stopped.

In order that bamboo may produce as huge profit as possible for the Mizos as one chipping plant has been set up, the Mizo chief minister said, and assured the delegation members that he will decide on how to provide such chipped bamboo to meet the requirement of the Paper Mill.

Lal Thanhawla also talked on the proposal and request of the delegation members to place a Public Relations Officer at Mizoram House in Silchar and to set up a Grievance Cell in order to bring immediate solution in time of any arising of problems between the two states.

They also proposed to set up Integration Camp both in Barak Valley and in Mizoram.

Delegation leader Sharif Laskar appreciated Lal Thanhawla as possessing a leadership quality and a man who stands on his promise, and thanked the Chief Minister for many things that he said.

The delegation comprises 21 members; one of them being a representative of minority students' body from Guwahati.

Media persons and advocates also participated in the meeting.

The visiting delegation left Mizoram today itself.

Last month, tension had cropped up in the Mizoram-Assam border following the distmantling of a border pillar near Vairengte and Dhalai.

Constituted by the state government of Mizoram as an initiative on the boundary dispute issue with Assam, Mizoram State Boundary Committee (MSBC) had submitted its finding reports to the state government.

Following the volatile situation, measures by both Mizoram and Assam governments were taken.

300 Assamese workers to be allowed into Mizoram sans inner-line permit

SILCHAR: In a bid to ease tension along its border with Assam, Mizoram authorities have decided to ease the Inner-Line Permit (ILP) norms for at least 300 workers from Assam's Cachar district to enter the hill state.

The issuance of the ILP, which is mandatory for any non-Mizo to enter Mizoram, has been a hitch for several workers. Hence, the Mizoram government has worked out a plan in which those workers will be allowed entry into Mizoram whose names are figured in the 'job registrar', set to be prepared by the Assam and Mizoram authorities jointly.

"The 'job registrar' will have 300 names of workers from Cachar district. The registrar will be prepared after authenticating the citizenship of the workers by Cachar administration and police," said Cachar deputy commissioner Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta.

He said, whenever there is need for workers in Vairengte area of Kolasib district of Mizoram, workers with their names in the registrar will be drawn from here. The registrar will be with Dholai police station in Cachar, Mahanta added.

After a meeting of officials from Cachar and Karimganj in Assam and Kolasib in Mizoram on Friday, Kolasib District Collector Niharika Rai said the decision to soften ILP regulations for poor workers from Assam were taken on humanitarian grounds. Moreover, this is aimed at easing tension that has gripped the Assam-Mizoram border over past few weeks, she added.

Both sides also decided that quarterly meetings would be held between officials of Cachar and Kolasib. Besides, police officials from Dhalai in Cachar and Vairengte in Kolasib will hold monthly meetings to ensure that situation remained calm.

It was also decided that cultural groups from Assam and Mizoram would visit each other's states with a view to strengthening bonds between people of the two states.

Village Authority (VA) of Vairengte of Mizoram last week rejected the demand of Cachar authorities to Mizoram government to allow entry of 300 people up to Vairengte village through Casual Labour Permit (CLP), but without ILP.

Sources said there was a time when workers from Assam were allowed to enter into some parts of Kolasib district of Mizoram temporarily on the basis of CLP. However, recently some Mizoram-based NGOs including Young Mizo Association (YMA) made it clear that no non-Mizo worker would be allowed in the state without ILP.

The dispute had assumed serious turn and Assam government tightened vigil along the Assam-Mizoram border in Cachar district and deployed additional security forces after heightening of tension following destruction of a border pillar by unidentified miscreants, said Cachar DC.

Several local organisations and NGOs of Cachar district have been organizing protest rallies and blockade of Aizawl-Silchar national highway demanding to resolve the issues of workers and the border.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Assam-Mizoram talk to resolve border dispute

Senior officials of Assam and Mizoram today decided to increase interaction between the two sides with a view to resolving the border dispute and de-escalate tension which has gripped Cachar-Kolasib belt during the last few days.

This was resolved at a meeting held in the Silchar Circuit House.

The meeting was attended by Cachar Deputy Commissioner Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta and his counterpart from Kolasib in Mizoram, Niharika Rai. Senior police and administration officials from both sides were present during the meeting.

Both sides decided that quarterly meetings would be held between officials of Cachar and Kolasib.

Besides, police officials from Dhalai in Cachar and Vairangte in Kolasib will hold regular monthly meetings to ensure that situation remained calm.

It was also decided that cultural groups from Assam and Mizoram would visit each other's states with a view to strengthening bonds between people of the two states.

With regard to the issue of restrictions on the movement of people in the greater Dholai-Bhaga-Lyllapur areas who go to Mizoram for work, it was decided that a common list would be drawn up so that those who figure in the list can visit their workplace unhindered by limitations placed as per the Inner Line Permit.

The dispute had assumed serious turn after reports of demolition of border pillar at Dholaikhal and removal of signboard of Assam and opening of a check post in area belonging to Cachar district by people from Mizoram.

Friday, October 5, 2012

German Football Coaching tips for Mizoram

On their current trip to Mizoram, German coaching instructors Lutz Pfannenstiel and Felix Imm of the German Football Association (DFB), have stated that Mizoram can produce footballers of world class if the abundant talent among young footballers is properly harnessed, as the duo feel there was no reason why budding footballers from the Northeastern state cannot graduate to world standard players.

The coaches, who are in Aizawl to train local footballers and local coaches, were pretty impressed by the potential and high spirits of the young players.

“The potential is clearly visible in the spirited and entertaining game played by the young players,” former goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel said.

Lal Thanzara, President of Mizoram Football Association had requested Rainer Schmiedchen, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kolkata, to provide good coaches for Mizoram, the Consul General promptly expressed keen interest in exploring football talent in the state and took initiative to bring German coach to the state back in May 2012.

The world goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel, who is the first footballer to have played professional football in all the six continents of our planet, said that for the past few days he and Felix Imm had been watching

…

Read the full article here .

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Opposition slams Mizo government

Aizawl, Oct 4 : Opposition parties slammed the Lalthanhawla-led Congress government for neglecting the tense situation in the town of Vairengte on the Assam-Mizoram border.

The town is under siege because of the threat of a blockade, led by the All Barak Youth Students Association, demanding entry into the town without the inner-line permit (ILP), a legal requirement.

Deputy commissioners of Cachar and Kolosib districts are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the issue.

An NGO, Coordination Committee, and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl held a public meeting in the town yesterday to take stock after Saturday's incident of border incursion, allegedly by an Assam minister.

They resolved to demand strict implementation of the ILP and resist all attempts to dilute it. They said the SDO (civil) should be empowered to issue ILPs for six months at Vairengte, hold talks with the Assam government and ensure the current situation does not escalate into a communal conflict.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tribute to the Father of the Nation

The band members of Boomarang

Artists from Mizoram and Karnataka are coming together to promote the message of peace and harmony between the two communities.

Lalrinpui, president, Bangalore Mizo Association, says, "We want to spread the message of peace, unity and friendship."

The Mizo band Boomarang will perform today.

"We are a part of this festival because we believe in advocating peace and harmony through performing arts," says the band's lead vocalist Atea.

Interestingly, the initiative is being sponsored by the Karnataka government's art and culture department, and will see performances like Dollu Kunitha and Veeragase.

Hiriyanna, manager, department of art and culture in the government of Karnataka, says, "We want to send out a message that all is well in the city."

Monday, October 1, 2012

Tripura Police nab three dog traffickers

Agartala : Tripura Police have arrested three people for trafficking stray dogs to other northeastern states, police said here Monday.

"Police acting on a tip-off arrested the three tribals with seven grownup dogs tied inside jute sacks at Kamalpur, 145 km north of here, Sunday night," a police official told reporters.

The official said that the trio was arrested under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and presented before a court, which granted them bail asking them not to leave the state without prior permission of the court.

During interrogation, the detainees told the police that the dogs were to be smuggled to neighbouring Mizoram and Nagaland.

"According to the dog lifters, each grownup dog fetches between Rs.2,000 and Rs.2,500 in Mizoram and Nagaland as dog's meat is a favourite food there. They also said that they have been involved in this job for the past few months," the police official said.

"We caught these dogs from various parts of the Kamalpur (in northern Tripura) by tranquilizing the animals with some medicine along with food and tied them up inside jute sacks keeping the head open," Baika Darlong, one of the three detainees, told the police interrogators.

Smuggling of stray dogs is a new phenomenon in this northeastern state.

Earlier in April, Tripura Police had arrested three people, including a woman, at Gandacharra in northern Tripura for trafficking dogs to Mizoram. Seven grown up dogs were recovered from them.

Assam min's visit leads to tension along Mizo border

Aizawl, Oct 2 : There was tension in some areas along the Mizoram-Assam border when Assam minister Siddique Ahmed Majumdar visited the police checkgate in the border town of Vairengte with a large number of villagers.

Mizoram Police officials said around 50 villagers from Lailapur in Assam preceded Majumdar's entourage on two wheelers in an alleged attempt to enter the Mizoram police's check gate at Vairengte last evening.