Thursday, May 30, 2013

Nghina dead

Aizawl, May 31 : Veteran Mizo politician and social worker F C Nghina died here yesterday, family sources said today. Nghina was 86 and is survived by his wife V L Pari, eight daughters and a son. He was one of the first chief executive members of the erstwhile Mizo District Council and also was elected as Chairman and Deputy CEM of the council. He was laid to rest today.
READ MORE - Nghina dead

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Thingsul Tlangnuam declared ‘Tobacco Free Village’ in Mizoram

Aizawl, May 29 : Thingsul Tlangnuam village has been declared ‘Tobacco Free Village’ by Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) President Lal Riliani said on Friday last. The programme of ‘Tobacco Free Village’ declaration which was held at Thingsul Tlangnuam Presbyterian Kohhran Hall saw the presence of Health Secretary Esther Lal Ruatkimi and a number of dignitaries from Health Department besides great number of the people of Thingsul Tlangnuam village.

Addressing the occasion, President of Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) Lal Riliani said that it is the the peoples’ responsibility and is a must for those who love the land and the nation to fight against  tobacco and related products which claims great number of people’s lives and which worsen the peoples’ health.
She also mentioned that as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey report, 67 % of the people of Mizoram are found with consuming tobacoo and related products, and that the Economics & Statistics Deptt. of Mizoram  also found that most number of deaths in Mizoram are due to disease caused by tobacco and related products.
The President also mentioned how since the past 23 years from its inception, the Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) has been taking active steps in imparting instruction on the hazardous effect of tobacco consumption and in campaigning the people to avoid the same for good.
President Lal Riliani lauded Thingsul Tlangnuam village for its outstanding performance for curbing the tobacco and related practices. Conveying best wishes to continue the campaign and be example for others, the President declared Thingsul Tlangnuam village as “Tobacco Free Village”.
Also addressing the occasion, Health Secretary Esther Lal Ruatkimi spoke on how, acknowledging the bad effects of tobacco and related consumption, a nation-wide campaign is being carried out, and how even the government also has come up with prohibition laws known popularly as COTPA. Health Secretary said it is regretful that, out of the very few national level top mark attained by the State, the fact that Mizoram has the highest number of people in terms of tobacco and related consumption. Adding it is high time the people of the state awakens she lauded Thingsul Tlangnuam village for taking great steps in this regard.
The programme was also addressed by Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society Nodal Officer Dr Jane R Ralte, who spoke on the restriction imposed in Mizoram on tobacco and how COTPA is being carried out. Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) Vice President Mr. VL Bela also addressed the programme.
Thingsul Tlangnuam village has started taking active steps since the middle of 2012 in order to attain the status of Tobacco Free Village. On learning their persevere steps, Indian Society on Tobacco and Health (Mizoram Chapter) has supported in their endeavour and also Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society (MSTCS) has rendered help as necessary.
The various churches, NGOs, and representatives of Village Council and local authorities by way of forming Anti-Tobacco Committee, the members divided their tasks in different areas, and thereby carried out the campaign at every house of the village.
They also conducted Survey on the consumption of tobacco and related products by the villagers during March 2013, for which MSTCS prepared Survey Format, using which Thingsul Tlangnuam, Anti-Tobacco Committee conducted the survey to all the villagers above 13 years of age. As shown in the Survey, Thingsul Tlangnuam comprises 257 houses and 923 residents above 13 years old, of which 655 people (70.96%) indulged in tobacco consumption.
READ MORE - Thingsul Tlangnuam declared ‘Tobacco Free Village’ in Mizoram

Mizoram to lay roads with World Bank aid

 Aizawl, May 29 :The northeastern state Mizoram expects to get financial aid from the World Bank for the development of roads in the mountainous state, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, officials said here Saturday.

"A four-member World Bank team visited various parts of Mizoram earlier this week. The World Bank officials are strongly pushing for a free trade regime in the region and keen to provide technical and financial support for infrastructural projects," a Mizoram Public Works Department (PWD) official told reporters.

The World Bank team was led by the Bank's South Asia Region Senior Operations Officer, Diep Nguyen-Van Houtte.

The PWD official said: "During their trip, the team visited the Champhai-Zokhawthar border area (in eastern Mizoram) and other international trade points in the state. The visit is essentially linked to providing funding for the Mizoram State Roads Project Phase II under its Roads Infrastructure Development Programme."

According to the official, the Rs.2,000 crore project was earlier approved by the central government under the externally aided projects component.

"The project includes trade infrastructure, including roads linking all existing border trade points with Myanmar and Bangladesh," the official said.

Lack of financial assistance by banks and other financial institutions and logistical infrastructure as well as absence of coordination with the neighbouring countries has stunted the growth of the border trade and other commercial centres.

The official said that the much expected Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link the sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram under India's Look East Policy is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Earthwork for Widening of National Highway-154 (Bilkhawthlir to Bairabi) to double lane standard has been completed. Widening of National Highway-54 (Kawnpui to Aizawl) is in progress.

Construction of the high level double-lane bridge over river Tut and River Tlawng are in progress, and expected to be completed soon. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Prime Minister's Village Road Projects), work is being undertaken to improve and upgrade many roads.

Industry-starved Mizoram is a special category state with a population of little over one million and, like most small states, constrained by deficient infrastructure.
READ MORE - Mizoram to lay roads with World Bank aid

Mizoram Oppn attacks CM over temple visit

AIZAWL: Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla’s reported visit to a Hindu temple sometime ago is kicking up a ruckus in Mizoram with the principal opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) organising a protest rally in the state capital Aizawl on Thursday.
However, it is not certain when the chief minister had entered the temple but there has been speculation that Lal Thanhawla and his wife had participated in a Hindu ceremony and a photo of that event was reportedly circulated by people in social media.
On Thursday, the MNF organised a protest rally christened as ‘Milem biak duhlohna kawngzawh’ or ‘Rally against Worshiping of Idols’ in Aizawl. Thousands attended the protest rally. The MNF alleged that the CM had attended a puja and took part in Hindu practices.
Former Chief Minister Zoramthanga explained that, “we organized this protest rally as he (the CM) violated God’s commandments in the Bible,” Zoramthanga said.
Zoramthanga quoted verses in the Old Testament warning against the worship of other gods. The MNF president then said the CM had violated these commandments when he and his wife broke a coconut and smeared colour on their foreheads.
Meanwhile, an explosion ripped through a temple inside the premises of the 26th battalion Assam Rifles here early on Thursday morning. The explosion shattered several windows, the police said. No one has been arrested so far.
READ MORE - Mizoram Oppn attacks CM over temple visit

Monday, May 27, 2013

Repatriation of Bru refugees postponed indefinitely

The proposed resumption of repatriation of Bru refugees lodged in the relief camps in North Tripura scheduled to commence from this week was indefinitely postponed, Mizoram Home department officials said here today.

Joint secretary in the Home department Lalbiakzama told PTI that the repatriation ball would again start rolling only after the Tripura government conveys its preparedness to the its Mizoram counterpart.

The Union Home Ministry, instructed that governments of the two neighbouring states should coordinate in implementing the repatriation process, Lalbiakzama said.

"When we approached the Tripura government during the second week of May, we were told that conduct of identification of the refugees jointly by the officials of the two governments could not be taken up due to absence conducive atmosphere in the border areas around the relief camps," he said, adding that they have nothing to do except to wait for responses from the Tripura officials.
READ MORE - Repatriation of Bru refugees postponed indefinitely

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Explosion in Mizoram temple at Assam Rifles premises

AIZAWL: An explosion ripped through a temple inside the premises of the 26th battalion Assam Rifles here early on Thursday morning.

The explosion shattered 26 window panes and some window frames, the police said.

Police suspected that the explosive used was gelatin and the bundle of gelatin sticks must have been thrown from the main road as the compound housing the temple was encircled by the road.

The explosion came on the day when the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) is organising a rally called 'Milem Biak Duhloh Kawngzawh' or Anti-Idol Worshipping Rally'.
READ MORE - Explosion in Mizoram temple at Assam Rifles premises

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Displaced Brus urge Mizo govt to start talks for their return

Mizo Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), a body of the internally displaced people of Bru community sheltered in camps in North Tripura district, today urged the Mizoram government to initiate fresh talks for their repatriation.

A bi-partite meeting had been organised by the Mizoram government at Aizawl in January but due to an all India strike on the day, MBDPF representatives could not reach there, its president Sawibunga said.

So the meeting was cancelled and, since then, the meeting was not convened despite several requests, Sawibunga told PTI.

"It seems that the fate of the 33,000 displaced people are still hanging in the balance as the Mizoram government is not taking any interest to restore dialogue to take them back," he said.

The people of the Bru community were displaced from Mizoram following ethnic conflicts with the Mizos in 1997 and since then they were sheltered in six camps at Kanchanpur in North Tripura district.
READ MORE - Displaced Brus urge Mizo govt to start talks for their return

221 pigs die in Mizoram in last three months

At least 221 pigs have died of swine flu in Mizoram's southern Lunglei district in the past three months, an official statement today said.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department officials said that there were 847 pigs infected with fever in the district during the same period out of which 221 have died.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioners of districts adjoining Myanmar and some states having borders with Myanmar clamped prohibitory order banning import of pigs.

State veterinary officials said that a disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), was in a pandemic form in Myanmar which shares 414 km long international border with Mizoram.
READ MORE - 221 pigs die in Mizoram in last three months

Monday, May 20, 2013

Burmese families driven out of Mizoram

About 120 families fromRangvamual and Phun Cawng villages have driven out by the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA);one of the largest non-governmental organization in Mizoram, India.
The Aizawl Post newspaper reported that the undocumented migrant workers from Burma had been warned in a formal letter theymust leave the arealocated about 20 miles from the capital of Aizawl,byMay 15.
Those who were not able to return to Burma are taking shelter with relatives in other areas of the state, according to one person that didn’t want their name used.
Some families can’t return due to financial constraints, others worry about their security.
The exact number of migrant workers, many of which are employed in wine factories, is unknown.
READ MORE - Burmese families driven out of Mizoram

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Mizoram student found dead in hostel room

A second-year MA student from the department of economics at Panjab University (PU) -- V Thuhril Sanga, 22, a native of Mizoram -was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his room in hostel no 6 on the campus on Wednesday afternoon.
The doctors ruled out suicide, but the cause
of death can be ascertained only after the post-mortem examination that would be conducted on Thursday.

Sanga was spotted by his friend in the hostel room around 1.30pm. According to PU authorities, Sanga was found sitting stiff on a chair with blood oozing from his nose. In front of him were an unfinished plate of noodles and an open cold drink bottle.

Police said they would decide the course of action after the post-mortem report. DSP (central) Ashish Kapoor said "There are no injury marks on the body. The post-mortem will be videographed. We have not ruled out foul play."

As the hostel warden rushed to the spot, an ambulance was also called and Sanga was taken to the PGIMER nearby, where he was declared brought dead. Doctors at hospital would conduct the post-mortem, following which the body would be handed over to his family who has been informed by PU authorities.

No one knew for how long Sanga had been dead as his friend who spotted the body had also been out since morning. Warden Gaurav Gaur also informed the dean, student welfare, (DSW) AS Ahluwalia, who informed the police and called the ambulance.

Ahluwalia said, "It is a sad incident. We have learnt that Sanga had some medical issues and was under treatment. We are gathering more information and even questioning his friends." Varsity authorities are not pursuing the theory of possible use of contraband drugs.

Gurmail Singh, former chairperson of the economics department, said, "Sanga was my student and though he told me that he was facing some health issues and couldn't write properly, he never gave me details. Otherwise he was regular and good at studies. I am shocked."
READ MORE - Mizoram student found dead in hostel room

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mizoram landslide toll reaches 17

AIZAWL, May 15 – The toll in the Saturday Aizawl landslide incident has gone up to 17 today and 15 bodies have been recovered so far.

Eleven houses were totally damaged and as many as seven four-wheelers and nine two-wheelers were also damaged in the calamity.

Meanwhile, Mizo National Front (MNF), the principal Opposition party in Mizoram has demanded for an ‘independent judicial inquiry’ into the building collapse.

The landslide had swept away nine houses including a PWD office building at Laipuitlang in north Aizawl killing 17 people and leaving many others untraced.

A PWD office building, which had been vacated about a year ago after a crack developed on it, collapsed under the impact of the landslide and fell on nine houses below killing the people.

The MNF has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who holds the PWD portfolio and his younger brother Lal Thanzara, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD, owning responsibility for the incident.

Meanwhile, Lal Thanhawla today convened a meeting with top government officials at his office chamber, in which they discussed measures to prevent further calamities in the State capital.

The meeting also discussed over setting up of a Magisterial inquiry and ex-gratia payment of Rs1.5 lakh each to the deceased’s families and Rs 35,000 grant each to the owners of the collapsed concrete buildings.

Elsewhere, five persons were injured and around 40 houses were damaged in Serchhip district in Mizoram due to pre monsoon rain and storm.
READ MORE - Mizoram landslide toll reaches 17

Friday, May 10, 2013

Mizo Arrested in Manipur Drugs Haul

Imphal, May 11 : With another person arrested in connection with the recent drug haul at Pallel on April 28 from a team of Manipur Police Commandos, the total number of arrests in connection with the case has reached 13 .

However, another two persons alleged involved in the case, are still on the loose.

The latest one to be arrested is one Lalhmingsanga Mizo alias Menshang (30), s/o Khunkhuma Mizo of Moreh Ward number 2.He was arrested yesterday from his house by a team led by the newly appointed Moreh OC Inspector James Thangal under the guidance of Moreh SDPO Balram.

Lalhmingsanga Mizo was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Thoubal today, which remanded him to 8 days police custody for further interrogation.

When N Nouteshori, CJM, Thoubal questioned him whether it was true that the drug consignment seized from a team of Manipur Police Commandos was meant to be handed over to him, Lalhmingsanga Mizo replied that though he is a businessman, he was not in any way related to the seized drug consignment, and denied all charges leveled against him.



Accused Menshang Mizo coming out after appearing before CJM, Thoubal
Accused Hmingsanga Mizo coming out after appearing before CJM, Thoubal


He also denied knowing any person by the name of Md Azad of Lilong though he admitted that he knew one Md Ali alias Liyakat and is also an acquaintance of OC Binorjit.

Later, the IO of the case pleaded the court to grant 8 days' police custody remand to Lalhmingsanga Mizo for necessary interrogation in connection with the drug seizure case.

The IO also made it clear that since two more accused namely Md Ali alias Liyakat Ali and Md Azad of Lilong are still on the loose, more days would be needed to investigate into the case.

Accordingly, the CJM Thoubal granted 8 days' police remand to Lalhmingsanga Mizo and further ordered transferring of the case to the Special Court of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Lalhmingsanga Mizo would be appearing before the Special Court of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances on May 17 .
READ MORE - Mizo Arrested in Manipur Drugs Haul

Mizo govt to construct relief camps for arson-hit villagers

The Mizoram government will construct a relief camp for 37 families of Saikhumphai hamlet, bordering Myanmar, ravaged by alleged arsonists from neighbouring Vaphai village on April 29.

The decision was taken today at a meeting of the state government officials, NGOs and church leaders.

The meeting, chaired by state home minister R Lalzirliana, emphasised on the need to maintain strict security, uninterrupted education for students of the hamlet and health care for the villagers, an official statement said.

Lalzirliana denied charges that the government was late in providing relief for the victims of the arson, claiming that food and clothes were immediately sent to the area soon after the incident.

He said three platoons of armed police were deployed and free ration would be provided for the victims for two months.

Over 40 houses in Saikhumphai were burnt down by Vaphai villagers alleging that the settlement was illegal.

The incident took place close on the heels of the Gauhati High Court declaring that the settlement was legal on April 26.

Following complaints from Vaphai villagers, the state government had issued an order asking Saikhumphai inhabitants to leave the hamlet by October 31, 2012.

The Aizawl bench stayed the order on November 22 last year and announced its final order on April 26.
READ MORE - Mizo govt to construct relief camps for arson-hit villagers

Tripura asks Mizoram to expedite Bru repatriation

AIZAWL, May 11 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has asked Mizoram government to expedite the repatriation of Mizoram Bru refugees lodged at several camps in Tripura. The information has been conveyed to the eleven members of Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA) who had recently visited the neighbouring state of Tripura on press tour and called on the Tripura Chief Minister in Agartala.

Manik Sarkar also asked the Bru refugees to avail the opportunity created by the Centre and Mizoram government for their repatriation and also asked them not to expect solution to all their problems at a time. He added that the government will take up the problems in phase manner to address their problems. On May 7, in the wake of the move to resume the repatriation of the Bru refugees, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the largest students’ body of Mizoram had asked the state government of Mizoram not to resume the repatriation process of Bru refugees from Tripura camp to Mizoram unless the refugees inform the government in writing that they are willing to come back to Mizoram.

The MZP leaders had said that the Bru people did not want to return to Mizoram when they were given chances five times by the Centre and the government of Mizoram as they left Mizoram for Tripura on their own volition.  The MZP also expressed concern over the increasing law and order problem in the border area including kidnapping of Mizos by the Brus for ransom.

In the year 2011, conglomeration of major NGOs in Mizoram had submitted a joint memorandum to the then Union Home minister P Chidambaram to rehabilitate displaced Mizos in Tripura and stall the ongoing repatriation of Brus from Tripura to Mizoram. The memorandum was signed by representatives of four large NGOs in the state--the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the MZP, the Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) or elders association and the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or the women's federation and four political parties.

The memorandum had mentioned that more than 80 Mizo families displaced from Tripura's Sakhan Hill range in 1998 after being threatened by Bru militants should be adequately rehabilitated by the Centre, otherwise, the repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura relief camps should not be allowed.
READ MORE - Tripura asks Mizoram to expedite Bru repatriation

Two held with drugs in Aizawl

Aizawl, May 11 : A joint team of BSF and Mizoram police seized 25 packets of pseudoephedrine from a Maruti car in Aizawl yesterday.

The team, acting on a tip-off, seized the packets containing 3,25,000 pseudoephedrine tablets and arrested two persons, Laldinthara, 32, a resident of Aizawl, and C. Lalmachhuara, 35, a resident of Thenzawl, 93km from Aizawl. A BSF release today said the seized drugs were valued at Rs 52 lakh in the Asian market.

The contraband was found under the driver’s seat of the hired car. The driver is also being interrogated.

This is the fourth consignment of the drug seized by security forces in south Assam and Mizoram in a span of over two months. BSF sources said the drugs were smuggled to either Mumbai or New Delhi and from there to South East Asian nations through Assam and Mizoram.
READ MORE - Two held with drugs in Aizawl

Monday, May 6, 2013

Mizoram (Land Revenue) Rules, 2012 approved

Consultative Committee of Revenue Department headed by Land Revenue and Settlement Minister J. H. Rothuama has approved the Mizoram (Land Revenue) Rules, 2012.

This followed a meeting held on May 3 at the Land Revenue & Settlement Directorate Conference Hall during which the rules prepared by the Department in accordance with the Mizoram (Land Revenue) Act, 2013 was accepted for use. According to Mizonews.

Net, the Draft Rules, before it was accepted for use, had been studied in-depth by the Consultative Committee, making amendments wherever necessary.

Explanations on various laws entailed by the Act including different forms have been presented in the Draft Rules. The Act has received the assent of the state governor. It will now be sent to Law department.

The meeting was attended by Parliamentary Secretary Lt. Col (Rtd) Z S Zuala, Consultative Committee Member; Joseph Lalhimpuia MLA; Principal Secretary LR&S R. L. Rinawma IAS; Law Secretary Singthanga besides senior officers of Revenue Department.

 Consultative Committee also discussed about the need for more Revenue Technical Staffs at Civil Sub Division and suggested creation of more posts for the purpose.
READ MORE - Mizoram (Land Revenue) Rules, 2012 approved

Zathang in round two

North east tennis

K. Lalrinawma of Mizoram on the court during a second round match at Officers’ Club in Lamphelpat on Monday.


Imphal, May 7 : H.D. Zathang Leina of Mizoram moved into the second round of the men’s singles event, defeating Rupam Gogoi of Silchar in the second North East Tennis Championship at Officers’ Club, Lamphelpat today.
Zathang tamed Rupam Gogoi of Silchar 6-3, 6-4 while H. Beckar of Manipur beat A. Dutta of Silchar 6-2, 6-2, Rebhaskar of Manipur outplayed A. Jayav of Silchar 6-2, 6-0. N. Premjit of Manipur drubbed N.Y. Meitei of Silchar 6-0, 6-0. Vitsizolie Nagi got the better of A. Jain of Silchar who retired hurt at 7-6 and 5-0 sets.
In the men’s open doubles event first round, Lalrinawma and Ramengmawia of Mizoram beat Zaputso Khate and Vitsizolienagi of Nagaland 6-0, 6-3.
Vilasier Khate and partner Vikhozolie of Nagaland defeated Th. Tuleshwar and Jiten Singh of Manipur 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and the Silchar pair of S.D. Gupta and Aman beat Thejasar Khate and Iciraibe Salie of Nagaland 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to move into the next round.
In the women’s open singles event, K. Olivia of Manipur won 6-4, 6-3 while Ch. Bunty of Manipur beat N. Das of Silchar 6-0, 6-0.
READ MORE - Zathang in round two

Mizoram State Invests in Agriculture and Fisheries

The annual plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Mizoram has been finalised with attention given to the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The plan size has been agreed at Rs.2500 crore.
So far the state has preformed well with progress made in agriculture.
It was pointed-out that irrigation coverage of net sown areas is found to be very low, which needs to be accelerated. Bench terracing may be a viable alternative towards water management under agriculture enhancement strategy.
There is also a need to develop a Horticulture Hub in the State to revamp the sector.
The animal husbandry, veterinary, dairy and fisheries/aquaculture sectors may be promoted through self help groups.
READ MORE - Mizoram State Invests in Agriculture and Fisheries

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Plan Comm asks Mizoram to boost craft, industry

The Planning Commission has asked the Mizoram government to create an investor-friendly environment to promote handloom, handicrafts, food and bamboo based industries in the northeastern state using locally available resources, an official said in Aizawl on Saturday.

The suggestion was made during a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in New Delhi Thursday.

"Ahluwalia told Lal Thanhawla that Mizoram's industry sector is at a nascent stage now. To promote industrial growth, state government should create an investor-friendly environment to push investments and industrial growth for the creation of job prospects, besides better using of the local resources," a Mizoram planning department official told reporters.

Quoting Ahluwalia, the official said: "Emphasis must be given on village and small enterprise sectors comprising handloom, handicrafts, food and bamboo-based industries for which raw material and skill is locally available."

In the meeting, the annual plan size for 2013-14 fiscal for the state has been finalised at Rs.2500 crore, Rs.200 crore more than last year.

The Planning Commission deputy chairman said that the state has performed satisfactorily in various social sectors including health, education and agriculture.

The official said that the plan panel has appreciated Mizoram government for its achievements under NULP (New Land Use Policy) scheme and was assured more support to carry forward the programme.

The Mizoram government launched the Rs.2,873 crore NLUP in 2010 to solve food scarcity by moving away from 'Jhum cultivation' (slash and burn method of shifting cultivation) to permanent farming.

The NLUP aims to support 120,000 "Jhumia" (shifting cultivators) families over five years to settle in stable agriculture.

The planning commission has pointed out that irrigation coverage of net sown area is found to be very low and asked the state government to accelerate it.

"Bench terracing may be a viable alternative towards water management under agriculture enhancement strategy. There is a need to develop a horticulture hub in the state to revamp the sector. Animal husbandry, veterinary and dairy sectors including fisheries and aquaculture may be promoted through Self Help Groups," the official said, quoting Ahluwalia.

According to the official, the Mizoram Chief Minister has sought the Planning Commission's financial support in evolving a workable rain water harvesting programme for the mountainous state.
READ MORE - Plan Comm asks Mizoram to boost craft, industry

Woman stabs husband to death in Aizawl

Aizawl: A 20-year-old woman stabbed her husband to death after a heated domestic quarrel in a remote south Mizoram Lunglei district's Rotlang West village.

Police reports reaching here on Sunday said Zonunmawii stabbed Vanlalsanga (22) on the latter's throat as the couple were engaged in heated argument while cooking on May three last.

Zonunmawii was arrested and produced before a local court in Lunglei town yesterday which remanded him to 15 days of police custody.

The woman is reported to be six-month pregnant.
READ MORE - Woman stabs husband to death in Aizawl

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Plan Panel clears Mizoram’s Rs 2,500-crore annual Plan for current fiscal

May2 :
The Planning Commission today approved Mizoram’s Rs 2,500-crore annual Plan for the current fiscal, which is 8.7 per cent higher than the outlay for 2012-13.

The state's annual Plan for 2013-14 was finalised in New Delhi at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalthanhawla, an official statement said.

Briefing the commission on plan performance and priorities of the state during 12th Plan, the chief minister said the state has maintained fiscal discipline. He said that since 2003-04 revenue surpluses have been maintained and state has introduced new power policy, revised industrial policy and adopted new land use and management policy to give necessary impetus to the development strategy. He also sought Commission’s support in evolving a workable rain water harvesting programme for the state.
READ MORE - Plan Panel clears Mizoram’s Rs 2,500-crore annual Plan for current fiscal

Mizoram plans Bru repatriation again

AIZAWL, May 2  – The core committee for Bru repartriation has tentatively set the last week of May for resumption of repatriation of the Mizoram Brus lodged in a displaced camp in Tripura.

The chairman of the committee, Lalrinmawia Ralte, who is also Parliamntary Secretary for Home said that the set date is tentative. He hoped that the Brus who belong to Mizoram would now return home willingly and resume their normal life.

Ralte said that the Union Home Ministry wanted the Bru repartriation to be completed and had asked both the Governments of Tripura and Mizoram to coordinate their efforts to solve the issue once and for all. Represemtatives of the two governments will be meeting next week.

The return will be arranged by the deputy commissioner of Mamit District, the place where the Brus belong. Ralte said that he hoped this time the mission would not be disturbed by vested interests who did not want the Mizoram Brus to return to their homes.

He said that a few do trickle in on their own but for the repartriation the facilitation camps will be upgraded while the returnees would be properly identified as bonafide residents of the State who had fled during a crisis.
READ MORE - Mizoram plans Bru repatriation again

Mizoram CM meets Sonia

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and discussed the current financial crisis of the state and the upcoming state assembly polls.

The Chief Minister met Gandhi in Parliament House and discussed about the state plan outlay for 2013-14, financial crisis of the state government and about the state assembly elections, which will be held by the end of the year, an official statement said.

The statement, however, did not give details about the meeting and what the UPA Chairperson conveyed to the Chief Minister.

Thanhawla and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia would be meeting tomorrow to fix the state plan outlay for the current fiscal year, it said.

The statement added that the Chief Minister also met DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar and informed the latter about the priority lists of the state government.
READ MORE - Mizoram CM meets Sonia