Monday, July 29, 2013

Mizo Forest dept raises a controversy

Linda Chhakchhuak

AIZAWL, July 29
– The Mizoram Environment & Forest department has raked up a controversy by banning the collection and sale of bamboo shoots in tribal markets under the Forest Conservation Act 1985 which is a clear violation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006) or the FR Act in short.

Mizoram had passed the FR Act in 2009 and notified it in 2010, adopting in toto the guidelines under this Act as notified by the Government of India. By this the State had agreed to “ensure that the forest rights relating to Minor Forest Produce (MFP) under section 3(1) of the Act are recognised in respect of all MFPs, as defined under Section 2 (i) of the Act, in all forest areas, and State policies are brought in alignment with the provisions of the Act. Section 2 (i) of the Act defines the term “MFP” to include “all non-timber produce of plant origin, including bamboo, brush wood, stumps, cane, tussar, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu or kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tubers, and the like”. Carrying in headloads are allowed, for example. “There is no confusion here about the defination of MFP and the rights of the tribals to use what they own,” said an irritated government official.

Besides, as per the information on the website of the Mizoram Social Welfare department (SWD) , its Secretary is the declared noday agency by Government of India for implementation of the provisions of the FR Act and all the rules.

The SWD website also says that all the Village Councils in Mizoram have been assigned by the State Government the role of Gram Sabha for the purpose of implementation of the Act and rules, and all district level sub committees have been formed. “So, why is the Forest department officials obtusely refusing to follow the tribal law, ” wondered several persons spoken to.

The E &F dept apparently issued a notification last May after which tribals earning a meagre livelihood from the seasonal harvest from nature have been repeatedly harassed across the State. Matters came to a head in Serchip district on Saturday, Hat market day, when Forest officials and members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) confiscated and destroyed bamboo shoots being sold by tribals and seizing their sales.

The bamboo shoot market is a very ‘tribal’ one with individuals hiking to the forests to gather them for sale in the markets to earn some extra money. Many families survive on these sales earning meager amounts for spending on medicines, school fees, books and other necessities.

“It’s the government which has commercialised bamboo shoots by selling bamboo mahals for the Cachar based paper mill and marketing in bulk by the Mizoram Food & Allied Industries Corporation Ltd (MiFCo). Why don’t they stop them first instead of whiplashing the marginalised people who have used it as their livelihood and diet since time immemorial, ” said a housewife.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Juhi Mukherjee has called an official meeting this week to get the situation clarified.
READ MORE - Mizo Forest dept raises a controversy

Sunday, July 28, 2013

PWD made fraudulent payments: CAG

Comptroller and Auditor General of India has indicted the Mizoram Public Works Department of making fraudulent payment to the tune of Rs 5.81 lakh against works which were not executed.

The report, laid in the state assembly recently, said the Chief Engineer, Buildings, PWD allotted 28 formation cutting works without call for tender and against the CPWD Manual.

The first package of the works at the estimated cost of Rs 68.29 lakh and the second package at the estimated cost of Rs 68.05 lakh were awarded to the Kolkata-based Tantia Construction company in 2008 without call for tenders and administrative approval, the report said.

The Kolkata-based firm was given undue favour and the works, for which a total amount of Rs 5.81 lakh was disbursed to the contractor, were not executed.

Among the works not executed are the subway below Vanapa Hall, Bungkawn YMA Road, Approach Road to Chief Secretary Bungalow and Approach road to circuit house, all of them in Aizawl.
READ MORE - PWD made fraudulent payments: CAG

Mizoram CM says food scheme will add to misery of poor

AIZAWL: Congress chief minister LalThanhawla again sent out mixed signals on the launch of the food security scheme on Thursday when he said it would only increase the miseries of the poor in the state if implemented without any modifications .

Addressing the general assembly of All Mizoram DIET (District Institutes of Education and Training) Employees' Association here, he said he has informed the Centre that Mizoram would not be able to roll out the scheme. The CM, however, did not elaborate on how the scheme would bring misery to people.

Sources said the Congress government in the state is in a dilemma as it already has a scheme in place that provides beneficiaries 8kg of subsidized rice a month and, under the central scheme, they will get 5kg rice a month at Rs 3 per kg. The state government will now have to give the remaining 3kg rice at the same price as under the central scheme, or it could prove costly to Congress with the assembly election coming up. And, if it provides 8kg rice at Rs 3 a kg, the government will have to bear a huge financial burden.

The sources added that the CM is not willing to implement the scheme and he had expressed his view at the meeting of Congress chief ministers on the food security scheme held at 10 Janpath on July 13. He had told the party high command that it would be impossible to implement the scheme in Mizoram unless the Centre bears the additional financial burden. Lal Thanhawla had made his view public after his return here on July 19. He said with the assembly polls due in five months, it would be difficult to take up new and expensive schemes. But he is being pressurized by central leaders to implement the scheme, a source said.
READ MORE - Mizoram CM says food scheme will add to misery of poor

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Eight held for truck robbery in Mizoram

SILCHAR: Mizoram and Assam Police, in a joint operation, arrested eight miscreants from the Dolai locality of Cachar district on Wednesday. The criminals were allegedly involved in robbing at least 17 trucks at Saifai on Bhaga-Sherkhan Road in Mizoram, 90 km from here.

An officer of Mizoram Police on Thursday said last Friday, at least 17 Aizawl-bound trucks were stranded at Saifai near Vairengte in the Kolasib district of Mizoram due to a massive landslide on the Bhaga-Sherkhan Road. Taking advantage of bad weather conditions and remoteness of the locality, a group of dacoits robbed the trucks at midnight. The officer said the dacoits took away cash, mobile sets and other articles from the loaded trucks. They also beat up the truckers.

On the basis of an FIR filed by the victims at Vairengte police station, a police team led by OC J L Mahato started an operation in and around the area. However, they came to understand that the miscreants were from neighbouring villages in Cachar district of Assam.

On Wednesday, police from Vairengte in Mizoram and Dholai in Assam's Cachar district launched a massive operation at Karkatpunjee and Natcherra villages in Cachar and rounded up eight dacoits suspected to be involved in the crime. They have been identified as Samsuddin, Majibur Rahman Barbhuiya, Majibur Rahman Talukdar, Sahab Uddin, Rahim Uddin Talukdar, Abdul Haq Laskar, Gulzar Hussain and Abdul Kashim.

The arrested persons are being interrogated at Vairengte police station, a source said.
READ MORE - Eight held for truck robbery in Mizoram

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Congress-ruled Mizoram finds it tough to implement food scheme

AIZAWL: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today said that the Food Security scheme would not be implemented in this Congress-ruled state because of "financial constraints".

"It will be impossible to take up the scheme before the coming Assembly polls due by the end of the year because of financial constraints and unless the Centre provides funds for it," Thanhawla told reporters here.

The Chief Minister returned to Aizawl yesterday after attending a meeting of Congress chief ministers on the Food Security Scheme, at her residence in Delhi.

He said that he had already spoken out in the meeting that it would be impossible to implement the scheme in the state without the Centre's assistance.
READ MORE - Congress-ruled Mizoram finds it tough to implement food scheme

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Mizoram Government Launching MLM Company

Mizoram Government Launching MLM Company
It is first time in the history of MLM that a government is prepared to launch an MLM entity.
Yes, the government of Mizoram is launching an MLM company for the people.  The launch date is 18th July 2013.  The name of the public company is MIZO Direct Marketing Limited.
The business plan is generation based, where the products are FMCG, Health care & Personal care.
MIZO Direct Marketing Limited will be selling products through tie-ups. MIZO Direct Marketing Limited could prove to be good decision, if everything works fine.
Some MLM industry leaders are not feeling positive about such an unusual development. They have an opinion, that government’s role is to take care of MLM Laws and make them efficient to prevent frauds and on the other hand most government sector do not perform well and they are slow.
As the launch date is 18th July 2013, so they have launched a website to join the company for free of cost during the pre-launch phase and after joining you can promote your online link to make other join with you.
Official Site can be checked here: www.mizodirect.mizoram.gov.in
READ MORE - Mizoram Government Launching MLM Company

Manik Sarkar seeks PM's intervention in Reang issue


Manik Sarkar has sought intervention of PM for repatriation of over 37,000 internally displaced people from Reang community from neighbouring Mizoram.Manik Sarkar has sought intervention of PM for repatriation of over 37,000 internally displaced people from Reang community from neighbouring Mizoram.
AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister ManikSarkar has sought intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for repatriation of over 37,000 internally displaced people from Reang community from neighbouringMizoram who took shelter in Tripura 15 years ago.

Sarkar met Singh at his official residence yesterday and stated that the Reangs had migrated from Mizoram due to ethnic conflict 15 years ago and took refuge in Tripura which gave rise to various socio-economic and law and order problems in the state, a press statement issued here said.

"Prime minister's help is solicited, so that these families are repatriated with dignity at the earliest to their places of original residence in Mizoram", the chief said in a memorandum.
READ MORE - Manik Sarkar seeks PM's intervention in Reang issue

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

'No major business slated for Mizoram assembly's monsoon session'

 Aizawl, July 18 :The two-day monsoon session of the Mizoram assembly scheduled to begin July 23 may probably not witness any significant business transaction, an official said Wednesday.

"There would be no significant business in the two-day session (July 23 and 24). Only some routine matters would come up before the house," an assembly official told reporters here.

The session called by Governor Vakkom Purushothaman is likely to be the last session of the present assembly, the official added.

The five-year term of the 40-member Mizoram assembly expires Dec 15 this year.

The Election Commission has already started preparations for the next assembly elections in the Congress-ruled state bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

In the upcoming polls, the main fight will be between the Congress and the main opposition party Mizo National Front, which is supported by some regional parties.
READ MORE - 'No major business slated for Mizoram assembly's monsoon session'

Monday, July 15, 2013

Two-day monsoon session of Mizoram assembly

Aizawl: The Monsoon session of the Mizoram legislature, summoned by the state governor Vakkom Purushothaman, to commence from July 23 would be sitting for two days only.

The Business Advisory Committee of the assembly which met today under the chairmanship of the speaker R. Romawia decided that the legislature would hold the session on July 23 and 24.

No financial business like incorporation of the increase in the plan outlay in the annual budget would be taken up during the session, state finance department officials said, adding that budget matters were left to be taken up by the next assembly.

The state annual budget presented by finance minister H. Liansailova on March 15 last was based on the plan size of last fiscal as the Planning Commission was yet to allocate the state plan outlay for 2013-14 and Liansailova said that the increase in the plan size would be incorporated during the next session.

The coming monsoon session of the state assembly is most likely going to be the last session of the present assembly as the state assembly polls are likely to be held by this November end.
READ MORE - Two-day monsoon session of Mizoram assembly

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Mizoram on alert after seizure of 'party drug' methamphetamine

The anti-narcotics agency of Mizoram has alerted its units to look for party drug, methamphetamine especially in areas close to Myanmar. The move comes in the wake of the Forensic Science Lab in Aizawl confirming that the small reddish-orange pill, each marked 88, were party drug.

It was seized by narcotic officials from two middle-aged men from the outskirts of Aizawl. Both of them were from Tahan in Myanmar's north-western Sagaing Division and had in possession 135 grams of heroin too.

"We were not immediately sure what the pills were, but we suspected it was meth because of the huge amounts of pseudoephedrine we have been seizing over the past two years, which is a known meth precursor," said a senior official in the excise and narcotics department.

Another senior official said one of the peddlers revealed during interrogation that one meth pill is sold for Rs 150 in Tiau, a town in Myanmar close to the border, and is sold inside Mizoram for Rs 350 each.

Sources in the Young Mizo Association, a voluntary organisation, recently given a national award for supply-side reduction activities, said peddlers have only just begun flooding the streets with meth pills and sometimes give it for free to addicts as trial doses.
READ MORE - Mizoram on alert after seizure of 'party drug' methamphetamine

Mizoram MLA jailed on forgery charges

AIZAWL, July 15 – Mizoram Legislator RL Pianmawia who was accused of making a fake rubber stamp for withdrawing funds from the MLA Development funds has been sent to jail by a District Court. Pianmawia is also the deputy chief whip of the ruling Congress Legislature Party.

This is the first time that a legislator in the State has landed in jail, that too from the ruling party in the State.

Following the denial of anticipatory bail by the District and Sessions Judge, KL Liana yesterday, the Congress MLA representing Tuival constituency surrendered before the police this morning as per the court instructions. He was then produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court which sent him to Central Jail. The FIR against him was filed by K Laldinthara, Opposition Mizo National Front secretary Vigilance.

The MLA’s advocate will move a bail plea tomorrow, it is learnt. Special superintendent of Central Jail, Lalthankima Sailo told The Assam Tribune that Pianmawia was handed over to his care this afternoon.

Being a legislator, he is due for ‘Class I’ treatment which entitles him to a separate room, a TV, water filter and a new bed-roll including mattresses, etc. He has also been assigned a peon from among the convicts. Besides, he is allowed meals of his choice.

While, an MLA’s incarceration, even if for a night has given the law a face-up, Pianmawia has come out smelling sweeter than a rose in all this, as far as his people are concerned. According to his supporters and constituency people, ‘He got trapped in a silly case only because he went out of his way to help his people.”

“He did it for us actually,” is the refrain from the Young Mizo Association (YMA) North Serzawl village. As per documents, Pianmawia had earmarked the amount from the MLA funds of about Rs 1 lakh for the YMA, N Serzawl to repair a link road in that village. A YMA conference is soon to be held there. However, the dealing officials at the Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner’s office had knowingly or accidentally sanctioned the amount in the name of the Village Council (VC) of N Serzawl.

When the YMA came for the money sometime in April they could not withdraw it and after discussing the matter with the MLA decided to take a short cut by making a rubber stamp of the VC as it was “money sanctioned for them anyway.” But since the VC was not consulted on this they were surprised to see a signboard on the village road which said that the work was done by the VC.

“After this we hurried to Aizawl to find out how VC money had gone into other hands. But before we could file an FIR we were called by the MLA who explained that he had earmarked the money to the YMA for repairing the road and that the official order from the DC had inadvertently written VC instead in the hurry to get the money out for the project. We agreed that the matter need not be taken further, and gathered at the DC’s office. Then in the presence of the officials he burnt the fake stamp,” said the source. However, the N Serzawl VC being from the opposition MNF camp, the matter took a different turn when the MNF party vigilance secretary decided to file an FIR against the MLA.
READ MORE - Mizoram MLA jailed on forgery charges

HIV cases decline in Mizoram

AIZAWL, JULY 15 : HIV cases in Mizoram have declined considerably in the past few years. According to Mizoram health minister Lalrinliana Sailo, HIV cases in the state have declined during 2007-2011 as per ‘Technical Report India, HIV Estimates-2012, NACO" by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Report, thanks to the steps taken by Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).

Sailo was saying this at a Governing Board meeting of MSACS at his office today attended by Health Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi, IRS, and MSACS Director Dr. Eric Zomawia besides representatives from YMA and Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP). The minister lauded the measures taken by MSACS in organising Red Ribbon Football Tournament and Red Ribbon Drama Competition to tackle the menace which is being plaguing lives of Mizo youths. Not only this, several NGOs and churches in Mizoram are also taking measures against the spread of HIV, the minister added.

Sailo also opined that in order to tackle this menace, there should be close collaboration between NGOs, government departments, churches and even media can play a great role in this regard. The meeting highlighted that as per Technical Report India, HIV Estimates-2012, NACO, HIV infection between age group 15-49 during 2011 was 0.74 percent in contrast to 0.79 per cent during 2007. The report also highlighted that the infection rate was 0.78, 0.76 per cent during 2009, 2010 which clearly shows that rate of HIV infection in Mizoram is on decline.

The meeting also accepted MSACS Action Plan for the period 2013-2014 which was approved by National AIDS Control Organization, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. According to MSACS report during 2012-13 HIV test was conducted to 59088 (General 38560 and Pregnant Women 20528) of which 1142 (General 1022 and Pregnant Women 120) were tested positive. Till today, 6060 HIV patients have been given treatment from ART Centre. MSACS expressed happiness over churches and NGOs for their endeavour towards HIV patients.
READ MORE - HIV cases decline in Mizoram

Mizo Marriage Bill deliberated

AIZAWL, July 15 : Mizoram State Law Commission in its 18th meeting today discussed on the Mizo The Marriage Bill, The Inheritance Bill, 2013 and reviewed them.

The meeting was held under the leadership of its Chairman R.Lalrinawma, MLA at his Office Chamber here in Aizawl.

The meeting had a discussion and reviewed The Mizo Marriage Bill, 2013 and The Mizo Inheritance Bill, 2013, drafted by R.C.Thanga Draft and also on The Mizo Divorce Bill, 2013, drafted by Zahmingthanga Ralte, and has made necessary modifications.

The meeting proposed to hold seminar and consultation programmes for wider discussion over the Bills, after which, they shall be put up to the State Assembly.

Talking about the bills being reviewed Chairman, R.Lalrinawma, and MLA said such Bills are important for all the Mizo families.

This is especially for the improvement and upliftment of the condition of the Mizo women, he added.

Even the state government finds it crucial, the Chairman further said, and added that due to the need for utmost cautiousness the Bills cannot be brought forward earlier in time, but now it has been brought to its final stage which is thankful.

It is necessary that such crucial laws are had by the society, the Law Commission Chairman said.

The meeting was attended by R.Lalrinawma, MLA, Chairman besides Zahmingthanga Ralte, Member-Secretary, P Sing-thanga, Secretary, Law & Judicial Department, AK Rokhum, Additional Advocate General, RC Thanga, Special Public Prosecutor-cum-Government Advocate, Marli Vankung, Additional District & Session Judge, LH Lian-hrima, Advocate and Michael Zothankhuma, Sr.Advocate.
READ MORE - Mizo Marriage Bill deliberated

Monday, July 8, 2013

Laldenga’s death anniversary observed

AIZAWL, July 9 – Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) leaders today laid wreaths at the tomb of the late MNF supremo Laldenga at the Treasury Square here, on the occasion of his 23rd death anniversary.

Laldenga died on July 7, 1990 but his death anniversary fell on Sunday this year, so the party paid respects today.

Founder president of the erstwhile underground MNF, he declared Independence from the Indian Union in 1966 plunging Mizoram into disturbance for 20 years.

He signed the historic Mizo Accord with the Centre on June 30, 1986 after which Mizoram became one of the most peaceful States in the country till date.

He became Chief Minister of Mizoram in 1986 in the interim government with the present Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla as the Deputy CM.

Laldenga became the first CM after Mizoram attained full-fledged Statehood on February 20, 1987. His government was toppled after 19 months and he was found to be suffering from cancer while being the leader of the opposition. He died in London during treatment. He was was laid to rest on July 13, 1990.
READ MORE - Laldenga’s death anniversary observed

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Help us enrol eligible voters: Mizoram poll officer tells political units

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer Ashwini Kumar today expressed dissatisfaction that there were fewer voters compared to the population in some places of the state.
Include all voters. Reuters
Include all voters. Reuters
Convening a meeting of representatives of the political parties in view of the coming state assembly polls by the last part of the year, Kumar sought the help of the political parties in the government’s efforts to include all the eligible voters in the electoral rolls.
The copies of the draft rolls published on 1 July would be given to all the political parties so that the political parties would cooperate with the revision of voters’ lists being taken up, he said.
Inspection of electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be undertaken from 29 July to 10 August when representatives of all the political parties were invited, he added.
Assembly election in Mizoram is due by last part of November or early part of December.
READ MORE - Help us enrol eligible voters: Mizoram poll officer tells political units

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Mizoram swine fever abates

Silchar, Jul 4 : The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which had killed over 3,800 pigs in Mizoram during March and April this year, seems to have died down with no fresh cases reported since May.

The syndrome, also called blue-ear pig disease, had afflicted the pig population in six of the eight districts of Mizoram, except Kolosib and Mamit, according to T. Sangkunga, secretary of the animal husbandry and veterinary department.

The state director of veterinary L.B. Sailo told this correspondent yesterday over telephone from Aizawl that the ban on the import of pigs from the neighbouring country of Myanmar, which was effected immediately after the outbreak of the contagious disease in early March, would continue. He said the PRRS virus did not infect any human being. Sailo, a veterinary physician, said there are at present two lakh pigs in Mizoram.

Veterinary department sources, however, said the ban on eating of pork, a popular dish among Mizos, has already been lifted as there are no traces anymore of the contagion among pigs.

The emergence of the PRRS virus in some pigs in Mizoram was confirmed last May after tests were conducted on some afflicted pigs in two research centres, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s unit in Barapani near Shillong and in College of Veterinary Science at Selesih near Aizawl.
READ MORE - Mizoram swine fever abates

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Seven acquitted in Mizoram exorcism death case

Aizawl: Thangvunga, a resident of Lunglei district in South Mizoram, died after sustaining injuries all over his body in an exorcism ritual on August 8, 2010.

Exorcism is the practice of expelling evil spirits by means of prayer. However, the use of brute force is often reported in exorcism rituals. Lucy Lalrinthari, district and sessions judge of Lunglei, acquitted the accused - a priest and other six devotees - after finding them not guilty of homicide while practising exorcism.
READ MORE - Seven acquitted in Mizoram exorcism death case

Monday, July 1, 2013

Chin and Mizo singers will perform in US

Popular Chin and Mizo singers will be performing in the US at a conference organized by the Chin Youth Organization (CYO) next month.

Salai Cung Lian Thawng (Thawngbawih), Van Dawt Cin (Moe Moe), both from Chin state, and Mami Varte from Mizoram will perform during the July 4–6 conference in Indianapolis.

Salai Cung Lian Thawng will also be performing in advance of the CYO’s conference in Washington DC on June 29 and in Indianapolis the next day.

The performers are very popular among Chins both in Myanmar and abroad.
“All of us are waiting for the singers,” said one youth living in the US.
READ MORE - Chin and Mizo singers will perform in US

Fish farming booming in Mizoram

AIZAWL, Jul 2 – Fish farmers in Mizoram are doing brisk business these days, thanks to the New Land Use Policy (NLUP).

However, the Mizoram Government wants that the local fish farmers should increase their production to the extent where they can start exporting fish outside the State.

NLUP is a pilot project of the Congress-led Mizoram Government under which attempts are being made to provide alternative means of livelihood to the farmers who are heavily dependent on jhumming which is detrimental to the environment.

Piggery, bee-keeping, fish-farming, grape cultivation, etc., are some of the fields the government is encouraging the local people to pursue by providing financial assistance.

Meanwhile, the Mizoram Co-operative Fish Farming Marketing and Processing Federation Ltd. (ZOFISFED) organised annual general assembly-cum-awareness campaign for Integrated Fish Farming Programme here recently where Mizoram Co-operation Minister JH Rothuama was present.

The Federation had resolved to adopt ‘fish farming as a tool for self-sufficiency’ as its yearly theme during the assembly. Minister Rothuama expressed happiness over Mizo fish farmers for their work and also said that the practice of fish farming has been increasing which is a good sign for fish lovers in the State. The minister added that having our own fish in the market is a great boon for health and hoped that in the coming days Mizoram will not be needing to import fish from outside.

The State Government has introduced NLUP for upliftment and development of farmers in the State and fish farmers were among them who did well with the assistance given by the State. He also believed that NLUP will serve as a tool for long-term development of the State in various fields.

ZOFISFED was established on October 29, 1998 with 22 Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies under its wing. Since 2008, ZOFISFED is maintaining eight Demonstration-cum-Fish Seed Farms. Through government sanction the Federation has built an Ice Plant at Buhchangpui with an expenditure of Rs 22.52 lakh besides purchasing one refrigerated van during last year. About 17,900 families have been enrolled in the Scheme for Welfare of Fisherman Saving-cum-Relief Scheme for Fishermen of Mizoram while 781 were benefited through Paddy-cum-Fish Culture.
READ MORE - Fish farming booming in Mizoram

No fresh PRRS infection in Mizoram

There was no report of any fresh death of swines due to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and no pig was detected infected with the virus since May in Mizoram, officials said here today.

At least 3,800 pigs died during March and April in the northeastern state and many of them were found to be infected with PRRS.

"Barring Kolasib and Mamit, simultaneous outbreak of PRRS and swine fever occurred in six districts of Mizoram during March and April. The outbreak is over and no report of fresh infection or death of swines was reported since May," state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary secretary T Sangkunga told a press conference here.

He said there was no longer any reason not to eat pork in Mizoram. However, ban on swine import from Myanmar would continue to prevent any fresh outbreak of PRRS in the state.

On the issue of culling the PRRS infected swines, he said the decision was yet to be made as it would involve compensation.
READ MORE - No fresh PRRS infection in Mizoram

More Chin families could be forced from Mizoram

More Chin families living in Mizoram state in northeast India may soon be forced out by Mizo organizations. A new order calling for the ejection of 16 families in Mual Khang village, Kolasib Township was recently issued by the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizo Upa Pawl (MUP) and village council of Mual Khang. The families that have nowhere to go may be forced to seek refuge at a nearby church once the June 30 order comes into effect.
A joint action committee (JAC) was recently formed by the YMA, MUP and village council in Mual Khang village to push out the stateless families originally from Myanmar.
“I have no idea what to do. I have been staying here since childhood.  I have no Myanmar national ID card and we can’t get Mizoram identification, ” said a woman from one of the affected families.
Chin migrant workers moved to area more than 10 years ago to work for cultivation work. More were recently resettled there to work in local wine factories, according to a Zonet TV report.
Hundreds of Chin migrant workers in Rangvamual and Phunchawng villages near capital city of Aizawl were driven out last month by the Central Young Mizo Association; the most powerful non-governmental organization in the state.
READ MORE - More Chin families could be forced from Mizoram