Pangolin scales seized in Mizoram, one held

Aizawl: Pangolin scales, worth around Rs 23 lakh in the local market, were seized and a person arrested in this connection from Vairengte village at Mizoram-Assam border, police said on Thursday.

Inspector J L Mahto, Officer-in-Charge of the Vairengte Police Station said over phone that C K Thanga, a resident of Aizawl was arrested along with the scales when he and his accomplices were trying to transfer the items from a car to a maxi-cab.

Later, during interrogation, the accused confessed that procured the pangolin scales from Shillong to be sold in Aizawl, Mahto said, adding that further probes are on.

The scales of pangolin, also known as "scaly anteater", a highly endangered species, are used for making garments and other purposes.

READ MORE - Pangolin scales seized in Mizoram, one held

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan brings several changes in sanitation programme in Mizoram

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan has brought in several changes in the sanitation programme in Mizoram firstly by widening the provision of incentives so as to extend the facility not only to the BPL families but also to identified APL households belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Small and marginal farmers, landless labourers with homesteads, physically challenged and women headed households. Under the programme, a “demand driven approach” is adopted with increased emphasis on awareness creation and demand generation for sanitory facilities in houses, schools and for cleaner environment.

According to Mr. J. Kapkima, Executive Engineer, Sewerage and Sanitation Circle, Mizoram state, 1 lakh 361 Individual Household Latrines have been constructed in the state for both BPL and APL households which is 94.45 per cent. More than 98 percent of works had been achieved in the Sanitary Complex component. As many as 71 solid liquid waste management facilities have been constructed. So far, out of the total released amount of 43 crore 28 lakh 36 thousand rupees, the Centre has released 33 crore, 84 lakh 86 thousand rupees and the state government also released a sunm of 9 crore 43 lakh and 50 thousand rupees.Mr. J. Kapkima, Executive Engineer, Sewerage and Sanitation Circle, Mizoram state says,

With more than 73 per cent of the works having been achieved under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, Mizoram is aspiring to be one of the most successful Nirmal state in the country.

READ MORE - Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan brings several changes in sanitation programme in Mizoram

MNF demands Mizoram health minister's ouster

Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) today urged Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla to sack state minister Lalrinliana Sailo for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

In a letter to the chief minister, MNF general secretary Zosangliana alleged the Health, Labour and Employment, and Trade and Commerce Minister issued drug licence to his under-aged son.

Rampanmawia, a Myanmarese national and a drug trafficker, was using that drug licence to smuggle pseudo-ephedrine from India to Myanmar, he said in the letter.

"Rampanmawia was arrested by the state Excise and Narcotics department last year in connection with pseudo-ephedrine, a precursor for illicit manufacturing of Methamphetamine," he said.

Rampanmawia purchased properties worth more than Rs three crore in Aizawl, Zosangliana claimed.

READ MORE - MNF demands Mizoram health minister's ouster

6kg drugs seized from railway station

GUWAHATI: The Government Railway Police (GRP) on Tuesday seized at least 6kg of contraband - pseudoephedrineHCL tablets - from the Guwahati railway station here. The GRP sleuths also arrested three persons in connection with the smuggling of the contraband. The sleuths said that the consignment is worth Rslakh.

GRP officials said that the three, who hail from Mizoram, were bringing the consignment from New Delhi. "They were going to take the drugs to Mizoram and smuggle them to Myanmar from there. Many illegal drug manufacturers in New Delhi and UP are supplying these drugs to the region," said a GRP official.

Two months ago in June, the GRP has seized drugs worth Rs 14.52 crore and arrested some12 peddlers, including women.

Meanwhile sources in the railway police said that they have sought the help of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to curb the drug menace. "The growing trend of synthetic drug smuggling is taking on alarming proportions in the northeast. The state, especially Guwahati, is not only a transit point for trafficking of these drugs to Bangladesh and Myanmar, but also provides a lucrative market for dealers to supply improvised party drugs," added the official.

READ MORE - 6kg drugs seized from railway station

Flights cancelled in Mizoram

Aizawl: All flights were cancelled at the state's lone airport at Lengpui near Aizawl on Tuesday due to power failure, airport officials said.

The officials said communication was completely disrupted due to power failure and planes could not land.

Communication disruption was caused by power failure and the generator used as a power backup also failed to function, the officials added.

READ MORE - Flights cancelled in Mizoram

NLUP to cover repatriated Bru refugees: Mizoram

Mizoram Deputy Speaker John Rotluangliana who during the last three days August 20 visited several villages within his Constituency like Teirei, Damparengpui, Tuipuibari and Rajiv Nagar said that the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) fund will also cover Bru refugees who have returned to the State.

Speaking before the villagers, John said that his most concern is to uplift the economically poor families by providing a source of income to farmers through the NLUP. 

“The success of NLUP is now visible especially in the production of milk and that steps are on to manufacture other products from milk,” he said.

John also said that the 1st Installment of 3rd Phase and 4th Phase (Additional) is to be distributed during September. 

“A separate arrangement is being made to include the repatriated Bru refugees in the NLUP,” he added. The Deputy Speaker was accompanied by Private Secretary R.L Rintluanga and Deputy DPC, SSA Mission Mamit Lalhmunmawia Ralte.

READ MORE - NLUP to cover repatriated Bru refugees: Mizoram

Women voters outnumber men in Mizoram

The northeastern state of Mizoram is probably the only one in India where women voters outnumber men, an official said here Saturday.

The election department of Mizoram, which goes to the assembly polls this year end, had published the final electoral rolls last week after completion of the special summary revision of the voters.

"According to the final electoral rolls, Mizoram has a total of 686,305 voters. Of them 349,506 are females and 336,799 males," Joint Chief electoral officer H. Lalengmawia told reporters.

The official said compared to the last summary revision in January, there is an increase of 6,050 voters.

With a total population of 1,091,014 (552,339 males), Christian-dominated Mizoram has 40 assembly seats.

During the last assembly election in December 2008, Mizoram had a total electorate of 611,124 with 308,884 women and 302,240 men. Congress won 32 seats, Mizo National Front three and Maraland Democratic Front one. The United Democratic Alliance's constituents - Mizoram People's Conference and Zoram Nationalist Party - got two seats each.

READ MORE - Women voters outnumber men in Mizoram

Over 300 diseased pigs culled in Mizoram

AIZAWL: At least 243 pigs that were identified to have been affected with the dreaded Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) have been culled in Mizoram'sAizawl district in the last one month, an official of the state animal husbandry and veterinary department said.

Animal husbandry and veterinary director L B Sailo said pig-owners voluntarily culled the affected animals after veterinary doctors warned them that the disease might spread. Sailo said another 58 pigs were culled in a government-owned farm at the Selesih village near Aizawl after they were found to be infected with PRRS.

The affected animals included those that had been distributed by the state government to beneficiaries under the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) "At least 100 pigs reared under the NLUP were reported to have been affected and culled," the official said. The government may provide further assistance to the beneficiaries.

Sailo said on the Centre's instructions, officials are running tests on at least two per cent of the total population of pigs in the state to estimate the spread of the disease. The state veterinary department has been taking bio-security measures and also sealed the Mizoram-Myanmar border.

READ MORE - Over 300 diseased pigs culled in Mizoram

Heroin seized in Aizawl

AIZAWL: Mizoram excise and narcotics department officials seized more than 16 grams of heroin from Zemabawk locality near Aizawl today, an official said. Sundaymawii (35) and Lalengliana (38) were arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Narcotics Act.

The contraband, worth more than Rs 80,000 in the market, was reported to be smuggled from Myanmar via Mizoram-Myanmar border river Tiau to be sold in Mizoram.

READ MORE - Heroin seized in Aizawl

YMA CHANGREL A SUAL TA FO MAI

By H.C. Vanlalruata

Tunhnaia thilthleng langsar tak tak, YMA inhnamhnawihna hian mi tam tak rilru a tibuai a. YMA chang rel a sual thei lo nia ngai tam takin an thinlung chhungrilah rinhlelhna an nei nasa hle tawh a. Mahse, YMA-a chiah zawr, Mizo leh YMA thliar hrang thei lo tam tak chuan an rinhlelhna chu an mangchhia emaw an ti mek a. Thudik hmu-a hre chungin pawm harsa an ti em em a. Chu thil chu Burma ram aṭanga lokal kan Mizo pui ngeite chunga Central YMA chet dan leh Mizorama piang seilian ngei Mizo dik tak ni bawk site laka an thu vuakthlak duhdan hi a ni.

Kan Central YMA hruaitute hian Mizo Hnam hi an hmangaih ngeiin ka ring a. Mizo Hnam inpumkhatna duhtu an nih hi ka la ringhlel chhin lo hrim hrim a, tunah pawh rinhlelhna chhete pawh ka nei lo. Khawvel hmun hrang hranga khawsa Mizote pawh hi Mizo dik takah an pawm ka ring a. 'Ramin ri a nei a, hnamin ri a nei lo' tih pawh hi a taka ngaihtuah chiang chiah lem lo hian an pawm thovin ka ring. 'Hnam bil' tih ṭawngkam an hman chhen pawh hi Mizo inpumkhat an duhna a ni ang. Mahse, an ngaihdan tihhlawhtlin an tum mek dan erawh hi chu dik lo leh ṭha lo tak a ni.

Mahni insawi lut ta i la. Shillong-a College kan kal ve lai chuan kei, Hmar hnam (Hmar ṭawng kawi khat chu sawi loh thumal pakhat pawh hre lo) hi min sawm ve ngial pawhin Hmar zirlai pawl-ah ka tel duh ngai lo. Ka ṭhianpa H (Hnialum) Vanmawia, khatihlaia Mizo Students Union, Shillong President ni mek pawh Pawih/Lai zirlai pawlah a tel duh hek lo. Mizoram pawna hawpui pakhata lehkha zira kalkhawm Mizo tlemte zinga "Kei Paula pawl, kei Apollova pawl, kei Kipha pawl, kei Krista pawl ka ni," tih kha kan duh lo a ni. Chu chu kan ṭhian dun pawm dan (conviction) a ni a, kan chhuang khawp mai. Keini ṭhian dun chu chiang hle mah ila midang barhluih (impose) erawh chu thu dang daih a ni.

Chu chu a ni ka sawi duh chu. Kei chu ka chiang a, midang an 'chian' ve loh avang maia ka chian dan leh ngaihdana an kal ngei theihna atana barhluih ka tum chuan 'Democracy' thuthlung kalh a ni a. Chumi piah lamah chuan in tih luih hian thil ṭha lo leh a letling zawngin a kaltir zawk fo. Tam takin kan hre tawh lo mai thei. India rama hnam hrang hrang awmte an insuihkhawmna a ṭhat leh zual duhtute chuan Hindi chauh hi sorkar ṭawngah hman ni se tih an rawt a, mahse India rama Hindi hman duh lotute an sapatal ta a nih kha. Hindi barhluih hi an tipuitling ngam ta lo mai a ni lova, he thil hian India rama hnam hrang hrangte inpumkhatna lam aiin inṭhendarhna lam kawngah a thawk na zawk a ni. Hindi hi thiam vek ila chuan a ṭha alawm, keini Mizote tan pawh a ṭha ang. Mahse, hman luih tir min tum erawh chuan thih tha-in kan dodal ngei ang. A chhan chu kan hre vek.

Assam hnuaia kan awm lai pawh khan mi ṭhahnemngai zualte'n Assamese ṭawng chu sorkar ṭawngah leh zirna in zawng zawnga hman tura tihluih an tum ngawt mai a. Keini tiamin Assam hnuaia hnam hrang hrang awmte chu an hel ta luih luih mai a; Assamese ṭawng chu an hman tir thei lo mai ni lovin hill district leh district hrang hranga politician ṭangrualte chuan ṭan la-in Assam chu state tam takah sahthlak a lo ni ta a nih hi. Tuna Assam aṭanga indang ta state-te hi an indang vek tho mai thei a, mahse Assam sorkar leh hnam tam ber Assamese laka an hnam leh ṭawng himna a derthawnga hriatna lo piang nasa ta lutuk khan

Assam inpumkhatna chu a tichhe ta nghal a ni.

Lai leh Mara Autonomous District Council huam chhunga ding YMA branch te leh YLA leh MṬP te inkara harsatna a awm khan kan Central YMA hruaitute hian thil an tifuh tawh lo tih kan hre vek. Helaia awmte leh Hmar hnam pawlte chu an ṭangrual vat mai a nih kha. CYMA hruaitute duh fir lutuk, Mizo insuihkhawmna atana anmahni duhdan leh ngaihdan chauh an ngaihtuahna chuan nghawng ṭha lo satliah mai pYMA CHANGREL

A SUAL TA

FO MAI

awh ni lo, a letling zawngin hna a thawk ta a ni.

Hemi hnu hian Myanmar aṭanga Mizorama rawn awm kan Mizo puite an han bitum leh zui a. Tuna kan Central YMA hian a hming leh a innghahna thuthlungte kalh zawngin thil a ti ta zat zat mai a. Mizo hnam inpumkhatna atana thawh hlawk thei ber tur leh thawk tura ngaih, a hruaitute pawh inzawmkhawmna duhtu nia ngaih ni si khan an duh fir luatah an zir sual ta a, an chang rel a sual ta a ni.

Mizo hnam hrang hrangin puan hrang hrang mawi tak tak kan nei a, chu chu Mizo hnam chapona tling pha a ni a. Puanchei leh puanropui hi Mizo puan kan tih bik erawh chuan a fuh ngai lovang. Mizo hnam hrang hrangin ṭawng hrang an neihte pawh hi lo changtlung vek sela, kan ṭawng hman lar ber 'Mizo ṭawng' kan tih takah a rem dan dana seng luha tih hausakna'na hman tur a ni. English te pawh hi ṭawng dang an lakluh zel avanga ṭawng hausa lo ni ta a ni. Latin ṭawng thumal tawi te 'Tele' sawpṭawnga 'far', Mizo ṭawnga 'hla' (hnai lo) tihna thumal an seng luh avanga ṭawng thu lo piang tamzia hi kan ngaihtuah ngai em - Television, Telegraph, Telegram, Telephone, Telecommunication, Telepathy, Telemedicine te - a tam thei mai.

Mizo hnam hrang hrangte kan inpumkhatna tur chu Central YMA-in tunlaia an tih dan anga tihluihna rawngkai ni lovin Mahatma Gandhi-a sawi anga pangpar chi hrang hrang mawi taka indipdal lova an par ang tur hi a ni. Myanmar-a kan unaute hi an duh reng vanga awm an ni lova; British sorkarin India, Myanmar leh Bangladesh ramah te min ṭhendarh vang mai an ni.

Thil pawi em em chu Mizote'n YMA kan ngaihdan inthlak tur hi a ni. Kan pasalṭhate dinhmun rawn luah a khawtlang muantu ni ṭhin kha pawl ṭihbaiawm leh hlauhawm tak a lo ni ta. Mi tlemte kal vung leh firfiak vanga he pawl ropui tak, pawl hlauhawm tak, khaw engemawzat tiralṭi-tu a lo ni ta mai hi a pawi tih mai loh chu sawi ngaihna ka hre lo.

Ramdangmi hi dan kalha an awm a nih chuan an chunga hremna lektu tur chu sorkar a ni a, sorkar chuan hmanrua hlawh nei Police te a nei a. An chungchang rel saktu tur Court pawh a awm. Chutiang mite chu sorkarin a seng hawi ang. Chuti chung pawh chuan kan unau, kan Mizo puite ngei lakah chuan kan ngaihdan pawh a dang tur a ni dawn lo'm ni? Misual an awm chuan danin an chungah ro a rel ang a, danin man

thei tura thuneihna a pekte'n an man mai tur a ni. Khua hial inhalsak leh nunau pawh sawi lova inhnawhchhuah rum rum mai hi 'Kristian nundan ṭha' em ni dawn? Mi thinlunga hlauhna tuha Mizo leh Mizo inep tir vak mai hi em ni YMA tih tur? Zu zuar pawh MLTP Act, 1995 hmanga hrem tur an ni a, a man theitu chu Police leh Excise and Narcotics department mite an ni. He dan hian khua leh chenna in aṭanga inhnawhchhuah a keng tel lo. YMA te thuneihna a pe hek lo.

Sual kan haw tur a nih laiin sual leh sual anga lang zawng zawng tihbo vek hi buaithlak tak a ni. Kan duh tak tak a nih chuan Police State din ila crime chu a tlem khawp ang, mahse chu sorkar hnuaia awm chu a thaw-i-pik thlak khawp ang. Jail chhungah hian misual rual pawh khauh taka khuahkhirh an nih avangin suahsual bawlna lian tham a awm thei lo, mahse a nuam lo. Thil ṭha lo kan do a nih pawhin dan chhungah, dan rorelna zah chunga kan tih a ngai. Chumi a nih loh chuan khawtlang tinuamlotu leh dan bawhchhetu kan ni ang.

Central YMA hruaitute hi in ngaihtuah vang vang teh u. Ṭhanhnem in ngai a, in ngaih dan a dik lo thung. Nakinah hun a lokal ang a, YMA hming tichhetu, miin YMA an hmuh dan, pawl ṭha leh thianghlim a nihna tibawrhbangtu a an la puh hunah che u chuan he kan thu khel hi in la chhiar let leh dawn nia.

Source: Vanglaini, 19th August, 2013

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READ MORE - YMA CHANGREL A SUAL TA FO MAI

KOHHRAN UPA CHUNGA THIL THLENG VANGIN CYMA-IN NGAIHDAM DIL

(Source: Albert Renthlei Via Lunglei Chanchinthar)

Nimin (Aug 20) khan tunhnaia Phunchawng-a CYMA hmalakna chungchang sawihovin CYMA leh MJA an inkawm a. CYMA hmalakna sawiin an president T Sangkunga chuan, "Rangvamual-ah chuan 90% hlawhtling tawhah kan inngai a, Phunchawngah erawh hma sawn viau mah ila peih rei a ngai dawn," a ni ti a. Ruihhlo do leh ramdang mi te umchhuah kawngah CYMA chuan cheng khat pawh hlawh lovin hma a la a, hetih kara mi rel hlawh reng chu hrehawm an ti ve hle tih a sawi bawk.

CYMA chuan Tuirial airfield leh Tuikhurhlu lamah beihpui thlak leh an tum tih an sawi a, "CYMA chu ruihhlo do kawngah leh foreigner chungchangah a dinna ngaiah a la ding reng," an ti.

Foreigner chungchangah CYMA president chuan, "Foreigner is a foreigner ti mahila khua/vengin an pawm tawh chu kan pawm thlap a, VC-ah hial te pawh thlantlin kan nei, a ti a. Hnawhchhuah chungchangah pawh Aizawl-ah hian awm darhsarh sela pawi kan ti lo, an awmkhawm hian a buaithlak thin a ni," a ti.

Phunchawnga kohhran upa F. Vanlalremruata Tonsonlenga chunga thil thleng chungchangah Central YMA chuan Vanlalenga chu upa a nih leh a inkhawm tih an hriat loh avangin, "Kan tihsual palhah ngaihdam kan dil a ni," an ti.

MJA lamin, "Voice of the voiceless kan nih angin Central YMA hmalakna firfiak chinah chuan kan inlungrual thei lovang," an tih pawh Central YMA hotute chuan pawmin thurawn tha an mamawh zia leh mipui atanga moral support an mamawhzia te an bawk.

Phunchawng khawtlang dinhmun

Chhungkaw awm zat - 424
Mihring awm zat - 1831
Local Council member - 5
Mahni ina cheng - 107
Mi in luah - 317
Kohhran awm zat - 10
Sorkar hnathawk zat - 13
Dawrkai zat - 42
Eizawnna bulpui - Zu factory siam
Hnawhchhuah zat - Chhungkaw 110

READ MORE - KOHHRAN UPA CHUNGA THIL THLENG VANGIN CYMA-IN NGAIHDAM DIL

Chopper service in Mizoram helps people

AIZAWL, August 19: Mizoram Aviation department officials have stated that helicopter service in the State, has been a great help to the people. The chopper service is especially helpful in taking patients to city hospitals in case of emergency and on way back to home from the hospitals, said the officials.

Pawan Hans has been giving the chopper service here since August 14, 2012. During the past one year since helicopter service began in Mizoram, it has been chartered (due to medical emergency) 21 times, out of which 20 times were within Mizoram, while once was to Guwahati, Assam, the officials reported.

At present, chopper service is rendered to 10 places in the State - Champhai, Khawzawl, Serchhip, Hnahthial, Lunglei, Chawngte, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Mamit and Kolasib. Out of these, Champhai, Lawngtlai, Saiha and Mamit are recorded to have comparatively more passengers, informed the Aviation officials.

Aviation officials then said, "New helipads will be constructed in Champhai, Saitual, Thenzawl and Mamit with Rs. 92 lakhs being the 1st installment of the fund sanctioned by DoNER." The amount has also been handed over to state PWD, and the work is expected to begin soon, the officials added.

The helicopter service in Mizoram was inaugurated on August 14, 2012 by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, with the inaugural flight to Lunglei on the very first day. From August 21, 2012, the hired Choppers started rendering service to different parts of Mizoram. So far, Mizoram government has paid Rs. 1.04 crore to Pawan Hans in May, being dues of rental charge up to December 2012; about Rs 2 crore dues yet to pay. Since helicopters are not allowed to be stationed (at night) at Thuampui helipad, but at Lengpui airport only, the expenditure over the chopper service is therefore soaring high, sources said.

The helicopter service, although it has the capacity of 11 passengers in a singly flight, allows to carry only 6 passengers at a time, since Mizoram is located at a very high altitude from the sea level. One ticket costs Rs.50 per minute. As of now, 10 routes have been arranged for the service, with Aizawl Thuampui Helipad being the "Main Operational Hub’, from where it will render service to Saiha (50 minutes), Lawngtlai (50), Champhai (25), Khawzawl (20), Lunglei (30), Kamlanagar (45), Hnahthial (30), Serchhip (17) and Kolasib (15).

As per schedule, the chopper renders its service for 6 days in a week. Tickets are available at the deputy commissioner offices in the eight districts of Mizoram. Since safety is the main concern, security duty and fire service has been provided at each helipad. The helicopters can be hired or chartered personally, for which the rate will be Rs.70,000 per hour, waiting charge free up to 45 minutes but if it crosses the limit the waiting charge will be Rs. 10,000 for every 30 minutes.

READ MORE - Chopper service in Mizoram helps people

Former MNA members warn of Fresh Mizo Uprising

AIZAWL, Aug 21 : The former Mizo National Army (MNA) members have warned of a fresh Mizo uprising if the government of India continues to avoid implementing the Mizo Peace Accord in full. Former Mizo militants have taken their woes to the President of India.

Under the banner of Ex-Mizo National Army (MNA) Association, the former Mizo militants in its memorandum submitted to President Pranab Mukherjee have demanded for the full-implementation of the Mizo Peace Accord signed in 1986.

Addressing a press conference today in Aizawl, the former militants said in the memorandum submitted to the President of India, they demanded for the establishment of a separate High Court of Mizoram and Annulment of pending criminal cases charges against the Mizo National Army cadres. There are criminal cases still pending against three former Mizo National Army cadres in the state of Manipur.

One of the accused Sgt. Lalzarliana became mentally derange due to the pressure from the court cases and the fear of imprisonment. It is worth mentioning that Ex- MNA demanded Rs 15 lakhs each for their rehabilitation or a permanent job for their family members, the EX-MNA Association stated.

The Ex- MNA Association then demanded from the Central government to fulfill its obligations and warned that in the event of the failure to fulfill their demand, any fresh Mizo uprising in future, will be the sole responsibility of the government of India.

Further, Ex- Mizo National Army Association had approached the governor of Mizoram, Vakom B. Purushothaman to request him to pursue the matter on June 18, 2013. However, the governor did not come forth in this regard.

The former Mizo militants under the banner of Ex-Mizo National Army (Ex-MNA) Association had staged protest rally in Aizawl on August 8, in order to show their resentment against the non-implementation of all the promises made in the Peace Accord between the government of India and Laldenga led Mizo National Front (MNF) way back in 1986, and also against the Mizoram Governor’s unfavorable reply to the Association when approached for help.

READ MORE - Former MNA members warn of Fresh Mizo Uprising

Final voters list published in Mizoram

Mizoram election department today published the final electoral roll after completion of the special summary revision of the voters.

Of the total 6,86,305 voters in the state, 3,36,799 are males, Joint Chief Electoral Office H Lalengmawia said.

The increase in the number of voters compared to the last summary revision in January last is 6,050 voters, he said.

READ MORE - Final voters list published in Mizoram

NLUP makes good progress in Mizoram : Lal Thanhawla

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today claimed that the flagship programme of his government, the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) has made good progress.

In his Independence Day speech after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles round in Aizawl, Lal Thanhawla said that the NLUP, aimed to transform the state's economy by focusing on generating income and both on-farm and off-farm employment activities had got pace.

He also claimed that the original target of 1.2 lakh beneficiaries for five years had been achieved during the first three years since the launching of the policy in the early part of 2011 and the beneficiaries have taken up trade activities of their choice that spread over the entire state.

"Another fresh 15,000 beneficiaries are proposed to be covered for which supplementary plan has been submitted to the Planning Commission," he said.

He said that the Planning Commission had released Rs 1,208.82 crore upto the fourth year against the additional central assistance (ACA) component.

Lal Thanhawla congratulated the people of Mizoram for helping in maintaining peace in the state and said that barring a few incidents of abduction by the NLFT from across the border the situation in the state was by and large peaceful during the past one year.

Outlining the developmental projects taken up by the state government, he made special mention to the recent clearance of the proposed 210-megawatt Tuivai Hydro Electricity Project by the Centre to be funded under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the fist time in the country and also to be taken up as the Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode in the north-east region.

READ MORE - NLUP makes good progress in Mizoram : Lal Thanhawla

Security beefed up in Mizoram for I-Day

Though none of the north east insurgents boycotted the Independence Day in Mizoram, security was beefed up in the state in view of the celebrations for the occasion tomorrow.

Tight security arrangements were made in and around the Assam Rifles ground where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would unfurl the national flag tomorrow, Aizawl district Superintendent of Police L R Dingliana Sailo told PTI.

Strict vigil was being maintained at vital installations, Sailo said.

Night patrol and mobile patrolling by police personnel were beefed up since a few days earlier in various parts of the state.

READ MORE - Security beefed up in Mizoram for I-Day

Mizoram Minister accused of possessing illegal drug licenses

Aizawl, Aug 13 : Mizoram main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), has accused Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo of possessing “illegal” drugs licence in the name of his son “who is still under age”.

Interacting with mediapersons at the Mizo Hnam Run on Saturday, MNF General Secretary (Vigilance Dept) Lalrintluanga Sailo said: “Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo has misused his power by giving his minor son 4 drug licences (wholesale and general)”.

The licence is given at Zokhawthar in Champhai District, he added. He further said that when the purpose for giving the licence comprising wholesale and general licence is verified, it becomes apparently clear that it has connection with what the people of Mizoram, NGOs and chucrh leaders are concerned with, that is, “drugs smuggling.”

Reacting to the allegations, Lalrinliana Sailo said: “I am the one who believe that to indulge in such a menace is inviting a deadly consequence upon generations; therefore, I take such an accusation as nothing but jealousy allegations against the Health Department, which is being led by God.

It is an attack coming forth not from one who loves the nation.” Lalrinliana Sailo further said, “In 2010 too, when my daughter appeared in the MBBS exam, MNF activist intruded into the exam hall and threatened her…. and they even intruded into the office of Joint Director regarding the same.”

Meanwhile, MNF said that Zokhawthar village is a temporary place set up by the Central Custom Department and Mizoram state government for trade purpose with neighbouring Burma and that the minister’s son is too young carry out big business in the village.

Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in a press release has defended the Health Minister against the accusation made by MNF Vigilance Dept stating that this charge is “unfounded and baseless” and the accusation is nothing but an “attempt to defame the minister.”

MPCC mentioned in its press release that there are at present more than 4000 people in Mizoram who possess Drug Licenses and that possessing Drug License is not a crime; rather those who are in need and eligible are given by the government.

The MPCC added that the Health Minister’s father has supplied medicine since 1945, and following their father’s profession, Lalrinliana has one license in his son’s name.

“The accusation against the Health Minister that he possessed 4 drugs license is a complete lie,”the Congress party press release said.

READ MORE - Mizoram Minister accused of possessing illegal drug licenses

Work on Tuivai Hydro Electric Project to begin soon

The construction of the 210 MW Tuivai Hydro Electric Project in Mizoram would take off soon with the Centre giving a nod for the Rs 1,750.6 crore project.

The fund would be provided under the Viability Gap Funding and would be taken up in the Public Private Partnership mode, Parliamentary Secretary for Power and Electricity Lal Thanzara said today.

Lal Thanzara told reporters that the hydro electric project was approved on July 23 by the Union Finance Ministry's Empowered Institution.

Mizoram was the first state to avail funding under the VGF and the first northeastern state to take up a mega project in PPP mode.

The Tuivai dam would submerge 1,600 hectare, but not residential areas, Power department engineer-in-chief C L Thangliana said.

READ MORE - Work on Tuivai Hydro Electric Project to begin soon

Mizoram principal secretary placed under suspension

AIZAWL: The Mizoram government has placed PC Lallawmsanga, principal secretary (Industries), under suspension for his alleged involvement in floating a company without being authorized by the state government to do so.

Though the suspension order issued by state chief secretary L Tochhong late last evening did not cite any specific reason to Lallawmsanga, a 1984-batch IPS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, Tochhong on Thursday told some newsmen that the government was contemplating to take disciplinary action against the principal secretary.

The suspension order said Lallawmsanga should not leave Aizawl without obtaining permission from competent authorities.

Lallawmsanga allegedly established the Mizoram Direct Marketing Limited, a multi-level marketing enterprise, and launched the same on July 18 at a function in Kolkata. The event was attended by a number of executives from top companies and former bureaucrats, especially from Tamil Nadu.

He has been accused of establishing the firm as a Mizoram government-owned company without getting the nod from the state cabinet and also sans permission from the state finance and planning departments.

The state government had earlier issued a disclaimer saying Lallawmsanga, principal secretary of the industries department, is reportedly the man behind establishing the company and launching it in his personal capacity. The disclaimer said whatever Lallawmsanga did was not on behalf of the government.

"Government officers floating a business outfit to conduct commercial activities by branding the concern as a wholly owned company by the government of Mizoram requires policy decision by the cabinet," the disclaimer said. It added that the memorandum of association & articles of association have neither been vetted by the law department nor concurred by the finance department before approaching the Registrar of Companies.

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MSCW seeks representation

Mizoram State Commission for Women (MSCW) has said that it wanted women representation in the State Assembly.

“Like a house without a woman is incomplete, the government machinery is also incomplete without women,” the commission said in a statement on Thursday after a meeting of the commission members.

The demand of the panel is not without reason. In the history of Mizoram, women have never been elected or nominated as Member of Parliament despite the state having two MP seats since its birth.

READ MORE - MSCW seeks representation