iMizoram : Blog Title the same as above

Monday, March 31, 2014

Over 7 lakh voters, 3 candidates for Mizoram's lone LS seat

Aizawl: Over seven lakh voters were eligible to exercise their franchise for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram which will go to hustings on April nine with three contestants from Congress, AAP and UDF in the fray.

Polling would be held in 1,126 polling stations, of which 40, most in border areas, are identified as sensitive polling stations.

Though three candidates are in the fray, political observers feel that the main contest would be between the ruling Congress nominee C.L. Ruala and the United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition eight-party alliance contender Robert Romawia Royte.

Another contestant is Michael Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who may cast some spell among non-partisan votes especially the youth.

The Congress candidate and sitting Lok Sabha member, C.L.Ruala, 79, is a former minister and veteran congress leader who was elected to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat in 2009.

He had been the minister for four times and had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls on Congress ticket in 1977 and lost to R. Rothuama of the People's Conference (PC) by a margin of 16,008 votes.

Royte is pitted as an Independent and being backed by the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), the Hmar People's Convention (HPC), the Paite Tribe Council (PTC), the BJP and the NCP, which formed an alliance under the umbrella of the UDF.

He was an academician working as teacher and also in the state School Education department and the 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)' before resigning from government service in 2010 and now heads a consultancy firm - the North East Consultancy Service (NECS).

The opposition combine candidate Royte is banking on the predictions in national media that the NDA would usurp power at the Centre.

The UDF announced that, Royte, if elected, would join the coalition in Parliament and would be in a better position than a Congress MP to work for the development of Mizoram.

The opposition parties also expressed the hope that if the NDA comes to power in Delhi, their independent candidate would be inducted as union minister.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Mizoram needs to make progress in industry: Governor

Aizawl, Mar 27 : Mizoram Governor, Vakkom Purushothaman said that Mizoram government needs to make progress in industry, because the state government cannot provide enough jobs for the youths, as of now.

He said this while addressing the public gathering at the premises of Circuit House here in a local programme.

The Mizoram Governor said that the number of educated youths keeps increasing in Mizoram.

"The government could not provide them enough jobs, therefore, the most important thing for Mizoram at present is to put thrust in industry," the Governor advised.

As of now, it is not possible to set up big industries in Mizoram, he however stated.

"Handloom and handicraft are two feasible industries that can be done as of now", Vakkom Purushothaman said.

The Governor expressed his wishes that the students, after completion of their studies, seek jobs in other parts of India and even abroad as done by the educated youths of Kerala.

The Governor encouraged the youths by saying that India being the largest democracy in the world, even the poorest have the chance to hold the highest position.

By way of example, he said, "The 10th President of India K.R Narayanan was also from a poor family.

One can become what they want to become with strong will and perseverance", he added.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

C L Ruala Congress nominee from Mizoram

Former Minister and sitting Lok Sabha member C L Ruala (79) is the official candidate of the ruling Congress in upcoming elections to the lone Lok Sabha seat from Mizoram to be held on April nine.

Ruala is contesting the elections against two opponents - Robert Romawia Royte, an independent candidate sponsored by the eight-party United Democratic Alliance (UDF) and M Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The veteran Congressman first contested the Lok Sabha polls from Mizoram on Congress ticket in 1977 but lost to Dr R Rothuama of People's Conference by a margin of 16,006 in a four-cornered contest.

However, he won the 2009 Lok Sabha elections by defeating his nearest rival Dr H. Lallungmuana, an independent candidate sponsored by the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) by a margin of 1,08,955 votes, the highest ever in the electoral history of the state.

Born in 1936, he graduated from Shillong's St. Edmund's College in 1964 and joined the Congress party in 1968.

He became member of the Mizo District Council as a nominated member in 1970 and became Executive Member looking after Forest and Revenue departments.

After being elected from Tlungvel seat in the Assembly polls in 1978 and 1979, he won the assembly by-poll in 1984 from North Vanlaiphai seat and was inducted in the ministry headed by chief minister Lal Thanhawla.

He was re-elected from North Vanlaiphai seat in 1989 and 1993 assembly polls and continued as a senior cabinet minister till 1998 when the Congress was routed by the MNF in the state assembly polls.

Ruala who has an image of being a clean politician is poorest among the three candidates in the fray with Rs 5 lakh in hand.

He also has Rs 41,53,421.83 and Rs 2,15,80,000 movable and immovable property respectively.

Released engineer thanks govt

KOLKATA: Networking engineer Deep Mondal, who was abducted from Mizoram in November, taken to Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh and released on Sunday, came to Nabanna on Tuesday to thank the state government for its efforts to get him released. Later, he set off for his home in Bankura's Indas.

Mondal met state home secretary Basudeb Banerjee and some officers in the chief minister's secretariat to thank them as they had taken the initiative to coordinate with the Mizoram government and the Centre to arrange his release. The matter was routed through the ministry of external affairs and the Bangladesh government was also involved in his release.

The 23-year old Bankura resident had gone to Mizoram to set up a mobile tower in Mammit district from where he was abducted on November 23, 2013. He narrated how he and his driver were taken to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Mondal was accompanied by his father Nikhil Mondal, who urged the home secretary to provide his son with a job, as they would not allow him to go to the northeast on work again. Mondal narrated how his abductors tortured him in the jungles and he had to feed even on insects.

However, his cousin Arnab Mondal said whenever he used to mediate with the abductors over telephone, they sounded quite polite. He said initially the abductors had demanded Rs 5crore and then, they came down to Rs 1crore and further reduced the ransom to Rs 25 lakh. Arnab quickly added that the family did not pay any ransom. It could be that the company where Mondal worked had paid some money, but said he was not sure of it. "But would they have released him without any ransom?" he wondered.

Deep will be felicitated by villagers at Indas this weekend. They had blocked traffic several times in Bankura to press for his release.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Mizos protest voting rights of Bru refugees

A protest rally was taken out here today against the decision of the Election Commission to allow Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in Tripura to exercise their franchise in the April-9 election for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state through postal ballots.

The agitators burnt copies of the Bru voters' lists and the impugned instruction of the EC in front of the state election office.

They passed a resolution demanding that the Bru refugees who were refusing to return to Mizoram should not be allowed to vote for any election in the state and must be enrolled in the electoral rolls in Tripura.

They also urged all political parties not to canvass in the Tripura relief camps.

The protest rally was jointly organised by several social organizations and students bodies.

Triangular contest likely for lone LS seat in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 24 (PTI) After withdrawal of candidature by Independent candidate Vanlalngaia today, election to Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha seat would be a triangular one.

The three candidates in the fray were C L Ruala of the ruling Congress, Robert Romawia Royte of the United Democratic Front (UDF), an alliance of eight opposition parties, and M Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Abducted survey engineer released

Survey engineer Deep Mondal, who was abducted by Bru men and NLFT militants on November 23 last year and has been in captivity since then in Bangladesh, was released by the abductors last night, police said.

Police officials told PTI over phone from Mizoram-Bangladesh border that Mondal was brought to the Mizoram border early this morning.

"He would undergo thorough medical checkup before proceeding towards Aizawl," the officials said.

Mondal, 25, a survey engineer working with Noida-based Telecom Network Solution, was abducted from Tuipuibari in Mamit district of Mizoram, near Bangladesh border along with two Mizo drivers.

While the two Mizos - Sanglianthanga and Lalzawmliana were released on January 21, Mondal remained in captivity as the abductors continued to demand ransom for his release.

Tripura to take care of Bru vote

Election Commission of India instructed that Tripura election officials would conduct polling through postal ballots in Bru relief camps in North Tripura district during the election to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat to be held on April nine and Mizoram election officials would not be involved in the process.

State joint chief electoral officer H Lalengmawia told PTI that Bru voters in the six relief camps would exercise franchise at the camps and Tripura state government would make all the necessary arrangements.

"The ballot boxes would be brought to Mizoram for counting after the polling is over," Lalengmawia said.

Civil societies in Mizoram have been in the warpath over the Election Commission's repeated decision to allow the Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to exercise franchise outside the state.

The civil societies planned to take out a protest march tomorrow in Aizawl in protest against the Election Commission's decision to allow Bru voters to cast their votes in the relief camps.

The protesters intended to burn the copies of the Bru voters lists and the impugned instruction of the ECI and also warned all the political parties against launching election campaign in the relief camps.

Friday, March 21, 2014

UDF changes candidate for Mizoram assembly bypoll

The United Democratic Front, an eight-party opposition alliance, today changed its common candidate for the by-election to the Hrangturzo assembly seat to be held on April nine.

Dawngliana, who was selected by the UDF to represent the alliance in the Hrangturzo by-poll, pulled out from the contest this morning leaving his party in the lurch with the last day for filing nominations being Saturday.

An emergent meeting of the UDF subsequently selected H. Lalduhawma, a retired government servant, who unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls on November 25 last year from the same seat as candidate of the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP).

Dr R. Lalthangliana, chairman of the UDF and Vice- President of the Mizo National Front told PTI that the alliance nominee for the election to the lone state Lok Sabha seat Robert Romawia Royte and H. Lalduhawma would file nomination papers by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress candidate C.L. Ruala and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominee M. Lalmanzuala filed nominations while Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu of the Congress also filed her nominations to contest the Hrangturzo by-poll.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Two file nominations from Mizoram

M Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and C L Ruala of the ruling Congress today filed nomination papers to contest the coming election to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat to be held on April nine.

Lalmuanzuala was the first to file his papers, followed by the sitting Lok Sabha member Ruala.

Meanwhile, Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu of the Congress filed nominations to contest the by-elections to Hrangturzo assembly seat to be held simultaneously with the Parliamentary polls.

The last date for filing nominations in Mizoram is March 22.

Postal ballot for Mizoram refugees in Tripura

Agartala/Aizawl, March 20

The tribal refugees, lodged in relief camps in Tripura for the past 17 years since they fled their villages in Mizoram, would cast their votes through postal ballots in the election for the lone parliamentary seat from Mizoram April 9, officials said Thursday. Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had urged Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) V.S. Sampath in a memorandum earlier this week, not to allow the tribal refugees living in seven relief camps to exercise their franchise to the state's lone Lok Sabha seat through postal ballot. "If the refugee voters wanted to vote, they should exercise their franchise inside Mizoram, not in the relief camps in Tripura through postal ballots. "If they persist on casting their votes in the Tripura camps, then their names should be deleted from the voters' lists in Mizoram," the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee said in a statement quoting Lal Thanhawla's memorandum to the CEC. Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Asutosh Jindal told reporters in Agartala: "Like previous occasions, the CEC has decided to take the votes of the refugees in the relief camps in north Tripura through postal ballots." "At least one facilitation centre would be set up in each of the seven refugee camps in north Tripura so that the eligible refugees could cast their votes for the Mizoram Lok Sabha poll," the CEO said.
He said: "The facilitation centres would be set up under the guidance of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The commission would supervise the work of these centres. The Tripura government might provide the logistical support like security to these facilitation centres." Earlier this month, the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), an organisation of the tribal refugees, all Reang tribes, asked the ECI to conduct elections in the relief camps. The MBDPF earlier complained to the ECI that there were many eligible voters in the camps who were not included in the voters' lists of Mizoram. Of the little over 36,000 Reang tribal refugees, locally known as 'Bru', living in the refugee camps in Kanchanpur and Panisagar in Tripura since 1997, only around 11,500 were listed in Mizoram's electoral rolls. They were listed from ten of the 40 assembly constituencies in western Mizoram. The tribals fled their villages in Mizoram in October 1997 after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official. Many have since refused to return home from the camps in Tripura unless their security is guaranteed under a four-corner accord. Around 5,000 refugees returned to their villages in the past three-and-half years following continued persuasion by Mizoram, Tripura and union home ministry officials. However, the process got stalled after that. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has told both the prime minister and the union home minister that "continuous presence for over 17 years of refugees from Mizoram has been a matter of concern for Tripura". The refugees have been insisting that without a formal agreement between the central government, the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura and the tribal leaders, their return to their homes and subsequent rehabilitation will remain uncertain.

Mizoram House passes Supplementary Budget

The Mizoram Assembly today passed the Supplementary Demand for 2013-14 amounting to Rs 2,658.47 crore and vote-on-account for expenditure for the first four months of 2014-15 (April to July, 2014) amounting to Rs 2,381.08 crore.
The Budget was presented in the state legislature by Finance Minister Lalsawta on last Tuesday.
Both the Supplementary Demand and the Vote-on-account were passed after a brief discussion after Lalsawta explained that detailed and demand-wise discussion would be held when a regular budget would be presented in the state legislature.
During his budget speech, he underscored the need for improvement and augmentation of the state's own tax and non- tax revenues through any possible means and at the same time reduce non-plan revenue expenditure whenever possible though he did not propose any specific new taxes on increase in the rates of existing taxes.
Lalsawta had to seek vote-on-account as the Planning Commission was yet to allocate the annual plan outlay for Mizoram.
He said though the Planning Commission was yet to finalise the state annual plan outlay for 2014-15, the Budget estimates for the next fiscal were projected at Rs 3,325 crore.
"As and when the annual plan for 2014-15 is finalised, I will seek approval of this august House for the regular budget," the finance minister said.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AAP fields retd IAS officer for Mizoram LS seat

Aizawl: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that M Lalmanzuala, a retired IAS officer, would contest the election for the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat to be held on April 09.

Lalmanzuala said he would file his nomination papers soon.

Lalmanzuala had unsuccessfully contested the state Assembly polls in 2008 as an Independent from Aizawl North-I seat.

Mizoram governor congratulates Mizoram football team

Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman today congratulated the Mizoram football team on their recent triumph in the National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy.

In his customary gubernatorial address to the state legislature on the first day of the budget session, Purushothaman praised the dedication of the chief minister Lal Thanhawla and sports minister Zodintluanga to uplift sports in the state and the hard work put in by everyone involved.

He said that the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), the flagship programme of the state government received worldwide acknowledgement.

He also congratulated the law enforcement agencies, the civil societies, churches and the people for maintaining and preserving peace and tranquility in the state.

The session of the assembly would continue till Thursday.

No new taxes in Mizoram budget

AIZAWL: The Mizoram government has proposed no new taxes, or any increase in the rate of the existing taxes, in the Rs 3,325-crore vote-on-account placed in the state assembly on Tuesday for the first four months of the next fiscal.

In his budget speech, state finance minister Lalsawta estimated the deficit in the current fiscal to be Rs 340.80 crore, but said it was expected to come down to Rs 299.63 crore by the end of the next fiscal.

Lalsawta delivered the speech in Mizo language, a first by any state finance minister.

He emphasised the need for improvement and augmentation of the state's own tax and non-tax revenues and cutting down on non-plan revenue expenditure whenever possible.

"As and when the annual plan for 2014-15 is finalised, I will seek approval of this august house for the regular budget," the finance minister said.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Triangular contest for lone Mizoram seat

The fight for Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha seat is likely to be a triangular contest between the Congress, the UDF and the AAP. Congress veteran and sitting MP C L Ruala will be facing stiff challenges from eight-party alliance United Democratic Front’s nominee -teacher-turned-technocrat-turned-entrepreneur Robert Romawia Royte – and Aam Aadmi Party candidate M Lalmanzuala, a former bureaucrat. The Congress had renominated 79-year-old Ruala from this seat two weeks ago. The UDF, led by main Opposition Mizo National Front and also comprising the BJP, however, witnessed sharp differences over selection of its candidate for the lone seat.
Zoram Nationalist Party chief Lalduhawma even announced last week that his outfit was no longer part of the alliance, but eventually all partners in coalition came together. Sources said UDF’s Lok Sabha candidate will be Royte, a former principal of a government college who became a Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan technocrat under the MNF government. He later quit the mission to start his own venture, North-East Consultancy Services (NECS). AAP’s Lalmanzuala is a retired IAS officer and former chief secretary of Mizoram.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

NDMA Member lauds Mizoram govt for setting up SDRF

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Member Harsh K Gupta today lauded the efforts of Mizoram government in setting up and training police personnel for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)

Addressing a press conference here, Gupta said at least 17,000 people would die if an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 at the Richter Scale hit Aizawl in the middle of the night.

He said that the death toll, in such a case would be at least eight lakh if the tremor hit the entire north east.

He lauded the efforts of the Mizoram government in setting up and training police personnel for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

The NDMA, in collaboration with the Mizoram State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) today conducted Mega Mock Drill on earthquake preparedness and mass Awareness at five places each in Aizawl and Serchhip district and also in Nagaland (Kohima and Dimapur), Manipur (Imphal and Thoubal), Tripura (Agartala and Ambassa) and Silchar in Assam.

NDMA officials said that these areas lie in seismic zones V and therefore their vulnerability to earthquake hazards has been a matter of serious concern.

The Mock Exercise took place in different locations which included places like hospitals, residential complex, educational institutes, and government institutes.

NDRF, Civil Defense, Civil Society Organizations and independent observers from Army, Paramilitary forces took active part in the mega exercise while the emergency support functionaries like police, health, fire, ambulance, civil defense, power and PWD also participated.

Footballers come home to hero's welcome in Mizoram

Aizawl: The Mizoram soccer team, which won the prestigious Santosh Trophy recently, was accorded a grand welcome at Lengpui Airport, about 32 km from Aizawl, on Wednesday.

Thousands of people came to the airport from the capital and surrounding villages to greet their heroes. Members of Aizawl Thunders, a bullet club, escorted the team from the airport as thousands of people lined up along the streets to have a glimpse of the players.

At a function held at Assam Rifles ground, chief minister Lal Thanhawla, who is the founding president of Mizoram Football Association (MFA), and sports minister Zodintluanga, were present. Thousands of people wearing red shirts (the colour of the jersey of the Mizoram team) thronged the venue where singers entertained the crowd.

Lalhmachhuana, the president of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), said he was proud to be a Mizo. Lalnunsiami, a shopkeeper, said she felt she should close her shop at least for a day as a mark of respect for the footballers. "We contributed to hire a cab and went to the Lengpui airport to attend the reception function there," she added.

The players were garlanded wherever they went and were also presented 'tawlhlohpuan' a traditional shawl worn only by brave warriors who killed dangerous wild animals of enemies in the past. Though majority of the Mizos are football lovers, the conquest as big as bagging the Santosh Trophy was a dream come true, said a sports writer.

Those who received the footballers included daily labourers, top politicians, sports and priests. The Mizoram government declared Wednesday as a public holiday and all government offices, educational institutions and financial institutions remained close for the day in honour of the Mizoram team.

Official sources said the holiday was declared to enable government employees and students to be able to receive the members of the victorious team.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Buffaloes die after drinking river water laced with poison

At least 40 buffaloes have died in the villages around the Mizoram-Myanmar border river Tiau in Champhai district, state AH and Veterinary department officials said today.

The officials said that the buffaloes reportedly died after drinking the river water which was poisoned by miscreants trying to catch fish.

Buffaloes belonging to Lianpui, Hmawngkai and Sazaphai villages were the worst hit while there were also reports of buffaloes dying on Myanmar side.

Veterinary doctors were sent to ascertain the cause of the death of the buffaloes.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Rahul Gandhi scores with soccer in trophy-winning Mizoram

AIZAWL: Rahul Gandhi has reason to smile even though a tough battle is fast approaching. On the eve of Mizoram's assembly elections in November last year, the Gandhi scion had said basic sports amenities would be provided to each district in Mizoram so that the state could produce homegrown football stars. By clinching 2014's Santosh Trophy, the country's top football tournament, Mizoram moved one step closer to that dream.

"The talent of Mizoram's youth is known across the country. Your love for football, your love for sports is known and we want to see future Ronaldos and Messis from Mizoram," Rahul had said. Mizoram is the second northeastern state after Manipur to win the trophy.

"One day, we will produce Messis and Ronaldos, but we are still at the very beginning of that dream. Earlier, Mizoram tried to clinch top football titles of the country without building a base, but we have learnt from our mistakes and efforts are on to hone young talent. Working with FIFA and AIFF, the state has implemented the FIFA Grassroots Course very effectively and we can see the change. The state FA recently won an award for football policy implementation," Lal Thanzara, president of Mizoram Football Association, said.

Referring to the AICC vice-president's commitment to Mizo footballers, Lal Thanzara, who is also the state's health minister, said Rahul's speech worked wonders by inculcating a sense of confidence among Mizo footballers.

"If top leaders of the country give assurances and impart confidence, the effect is always positive. Rahul's promise to build new stadiums in all the districts of the state has enlivened Mizoram's football," Lal Thanzara added.

The ruling Congress in Mizoram has already built three artificial grass stadiums in Mizoram, while the fourth is under construction at Champhai district.

"BJP president Rajnath Singh came, but did nothing. Rahul gave Mizo youths what they needed-confidence," Lal Thanzara said.

Mizoram sports minister Zodintluanga, too, gave the credit to Rahul and said his visit had a positive effect on the sports scenario of the state.

"The people of Mizoram have a close affinity with the Gandhi family. We do not need essays from political leaders. We need a practical solutions and he did that by giving Mizo youths what they craved for-football stadiums," Zodintluanga said.

Lalnghinglova Hmar, honorary secretary of the state FA, attributed the Mizoram team's success to the untiring efforts of sports minister Zodintluanga and Lal Thanzara, president of the state FA.

"They left no stone unturned to promote football in the state. Mizoram dreamt of clinching this title for so many years. They knew it and gave it their all. Now, this dream has become a reality," Hmar said.

Two killed in accident in Mizoram

Two persons were killed and 13 others were injured when a truck rolled down to a deep gorge near Tuipang in Mizoram's southernmost Saiha district last night.

Police said that driver of the truck Beithalo and his helper Thadi were killed.

The injured people were taken to the Tuipang rural hospital.

A majority of those in the truck were returning from a wedding in Laki village.

The cause of the mishap was not known as the driver was killed, police said.

UK can to work with Mizoram: Deputy High Commissioner

British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India Scott Furssedonn Wood today said UK can work with Mizoram in sectors like human resources and skill development.

Wood, who was on his maiden visit to this north eastern state, told Chief Secretary L Tochhong that a strong bond existed between the people of Mizoram and the people of UK especially on religion.

He said that he would send experts to Mizoram to seek cooperation after studying the resources available.

"The cooperation could be on human resources and skill development for which UK has presence of experts in the north east region," he said.

The Deputy High Commissioner also called on Governor Vakkom Purushothaman. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla will host a dinner tonight in his honour.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Tiny Mizoram's success story is one rest of India should emulate

KOLKATA: Loads of talent and hard work characterized Mizoram's triumph in the 68th Santosh Trophy. Long-term planning, infrastructure development, effective development programmes at the grassroots level and the introduction of the Mizoram Premier League (MPL), all contributed significantly to Mizoram's success in the National Football Championship, thereby making the state a force to reckon with in North-East's rich football heritage.

Mizoram Football Association (MFA) secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar reckons the MPL played a key role in transforming the state's football landscape. "Our triumph in the Santosh Trophy is a direct result of the MPL, which is now in its second season. We always had the talent but most of the players could not play regularly.

A few lucky ones got a break in I-League clubs but a significant number of equally good players had nowhere to showcase their talent. The MPL has given them that platform," said the 36-year-old Hmar, the man who is credited with ushering in a football revolution in Mizoram.

"Shortly after we took charge of the MFA three years ago, we put in place a system and a road map to take Mizoram football forward. We are delighted with the results. Our senior as well as junior teams have won the national championship. This is a golden year for Mizoram."

Hmar also credits the state government for supporting MFA's grassroots development programme, which has been declared by All India Football Federation as the best in the country. "The grassroots development programme that MFA has initiated in collaboration with the AIFF follows the FIFA model. Youngsters in the age-group of 6-12 are part of this programme."

Top Mizo players are already making their presence felt at many I-League clubs. Apart from the veteran S Malswamtluanga, the likes of Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lalrindika Ralte and Robert Lalthlamuana too have made their mark. Many more will follow. "I believe what you are seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg," said Larsing Ming, the general secretary of Shillong Lajong FC, the first club from the N-E to feature in the I-League.

Lalbiakzuala, who was the manager of the Mizoram team in the Santosh Trophy and is the technical secretary of the MFA, sees a bright future for footballers from the state. "We are on the right track and if we can continue like this, Mizoram will soon dominate Indian football," he said.

However, for that to happen, Lalbiakzuala feels there is a need for a club from the state to qualify for the I-League. At present there are two I-League clubs from the North-East - Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC - and both are based in Shillong.

Asked how two clubs from Shillong managed to make it to the I-League, Larsing said, "Shillong is the educational hub of the N-E region and is a cosmopolitan city. The two clubs have nurtured talents from the region. In fact, there are quite a few Mizoram players playing for Lajong."

Mizoram club, Aizawl FC, is the best bet to make a foray into the country's elite club competition. "Mizoram has made it mark but the most difficult part starts now - to maintain it. Our aim now is to improve and be consistent," Hmar concluded.

Mizoram declares state holiday

AIZAWL: Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla has declared a state holiday on Wednesday to celebrate the state's history-making win.

As soon as the Mizoram players held aloft the glittering trophy in Siliguri, fans roared their approval and Mizoram's capital Aizawl erupted in ecstasy. Impromptu victory processions were taken out in various parts of the city and in many towns, and fans sang and danced on the streets till well after midnight.

A grand welcome awaits their heroes with Governor Vakkom B Purosothaman saying he would greet the team on their return. The Mizoram Football Association will hold a public reception in Aizawl.

The MFA is expecting around 70,000 fans at the AR Ground and are appealing to people of Aizawl and adjoining towns to gather at Lengpui airport to show their support.

Winning begins at home for Mizoram

Marcus Mergulhao

Every week, mostly weekends, the East Bengal midfielder waits to meet his fellow Mizoram players like Shylo Malsawmtluanga, Robert Lalthlamuana and Samson Ramagawia at popular meeting places and once the meeting is over, he eagerly looks forward to the next meeting.

"We all enjoy each other's company. We talk about things back home, our clubs and almost everything under the sun. We are all friends and have never had any differences," said Ralte, popularly known as "Dika", among India's most promising footballer.

Since Malsawmtluanga joined East Bengal in 2002 and showed Mizoram the way, players from this North-Eastern state have found favour with several I-League clubs. East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, Bengaluru FC, Dempo Sports Club all have Mizoram players, although most of them play for clubs closer to home; Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC, both based in neighbouring Meghalaya, is home to at least ten Mizo footballers.

"Unlike Manipur, we made late starts. Manipuri footballers started moving out of the state in the nineties, but until Malsawmtluanga (Mama) joined East Bengal, we had no clue about Indian football, or ways and means to get there," says Dempo striker Jeje Lalpekhlua.

The Mizo group is a close-knit family and are never at odds with each other. In fact, most of them pick up the phone, speak to each other and find out ways to help people back home, who may not be as fortunate as them. "We try to help our society which has given so much to us. We know they need our support," explains Dika, who along with Jeje, endorse brands back home.

Dika once had to dig deep into his pockets to fund the state under-19 football team who did not have enough money to buy their kits for a national tournament. Jeje parts with his savings whenever his village club needs help.

And, while Malsawmtluanga remains the man they all seek advice from - whether it's planning their savings or moving to another club - all of them don't think twice when it comes to contributing to the community.

"It is in our culture to help anyone who is in need. We are all friendly people," explains Jeje. Every May, when the football season takes a break for two months and the players head to their respective homes, the Mizos get together and play a series of friendly matches, proceeds of which are equally shared by the MFA and the chosen charity.

"Last year we played friendlies in Dika's and my village. This year I am already looking forward to the break," said Jeje.

Mizoram bans pigs, pork import from Myanmar

Aizawl, Mar 11 : Prohibitory orders banning import of pigs and pork from Myanmar have been issued by district magistrates of border districts till August fearing fresh incidents of the dreaded Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in the state.

Authorities of districts adjoining Myanmar, Champhai, Lunglei, Serchhip, Lawngtlai and Saiha have been instructed to issue prohibitory orders, Director of the state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary L B Sailo told PTI.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Mizoram poll spat gets uglier

Lal Thanhawla refutes charges of EVM rigging by former pastor

The election season seems to be heating up in Mizoram with a spat between the chief minister and a church elder getting uglier by the day. The confrontation started in December last year after K. Chhawnthuama sent some offensive text messages to chief minister and state Congress president Lal Thanhawla under the pseudonym “Phantom”, alleging that the ruling Congress had won the Assembly elections as a result of “EVM rigging” and “misuse” of election machinery.

Chhawnthuama was arrested on December 20, 2013, three days after the chief minister lodged a complaint against the text messages. Although the SIM card was not used regularly, police investigators said the handset was traced to the church elder. Charged under Sections 500 (defamation) and 506 (criminal intimidation) IPC and Section 66-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Chhawnthuama appeared before the court for the third time on Tuesday, where his hearing was postponed to March 14.

But before that he continued his attack in an interview to a local television channel from his Durtlang home, alleging that Lal Thanhawla was aware about the “EVM rigging”. The chief minister in retaliation said, “He is a respectable man, a church elder and owner of a reputed school, who earns money from his wife’s monument. But his text messages were too obscene. I asked the police to investigate and he was found out.” Lal Thanhawla made the comments at his party’s weekly political session at Congress Bhavan yesterday.

Lal Thanhawla further said that Chhawnthuama had sent his son to him seeking his forgiveness after his arrest. “I said he had already been arrested by the police and there was no point talking about it. So I declined to meet his son,” he said.

Chhawnthuama is the owner of KV Paradise, dubbed as “Taj Mahal of Aizawl”, a three-storey mausoleum built in his wife’s memory. It is now a tourist attraction. This is why Lal Thanhawla had said he was “earning money from his wife’s monument”.

According to the chief minister, Chhawnthuama later sent a former synod of Mizoram Presbyterian Church, whom he met. “The retired pastor told me he was only a mediator asking for his forgiveness and was in no way involved in sending the threats. Being a God-fearing man, he told the truth.”

Lal Thanhawla said he had also alleged that deputy commissioners had been receiving bribes through such messages and it was possible the officials might also think about taking action against him. “He has not only charged the Congress party but also the Election Commission and the company that manufactured the EVMs,” he added.

Mizoram churches pray to keep dry law in place

ZODIN SANGA

File picture of worshippers at a church in Mizoram

Aizawl, March 9: The Mizoram government’s decision to lift a 17-year-old prohibition has run into opposition from an influential section of Christians in the state.

Churches affiliated to the Presbyterian Church, the largest denomination in the Christian-dominated state, held mass prayers tonight to build opinion against the move to ease the ban on alcohol consumption.

The Lal Thanhawla-led Congress government is proposing to replace a law that imposed total prohibition in 1997 with one that seeks to permit alcohol consumption under a stringent monitoring and punitive system.

The instructions to hold the prayers have been issued by the synod executive committee of the Church to maintain status quo on the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act.

“We have learnt that the government is planning to lift prohibition. All the churches must pray for the continuation of the prohibition,” the committee said in a statement read out in all the churches during the Sunday morning service.

The statement said the church believed that Mizoram had been peaceful and people had been living “pure” lives because of the imposition of the law since February 20, 1997.

It was the Presbyterian Church, whose 6 lakh members account for more than 50 per cent of the state’s population, that had pressured the Congress government in 1997 to impose the prohibition.

In the Northeast, Nagaland and Manipur are also dry states.

Leaders of the Church had met all the legislators, including chief minister Lal Thanhawla last week, urging them to continue with the dry law.

“Since the implementation of total prohibition, our public areas have become safer and more peaceful, there have been fewer road mishaps caused by drink driving and alcohol-related violence has dropped visibly,” the church had said in a statement to the legislators. “Given that alcohol harms health, disturbs social relations and even spiritual well-being, we believe allowing alcohol to be more accessible is not likely to benefit us.”

The Presbyterian Church believes that “crimes such as murder, rape and accidents are mostly committed under the influence of alcohol”.

According to the Church’s assessment in 1994, 65 per cent of women lost their husbands to alcohol abuse.

Lalzirliana, who holds the excise and narcotics portfolio, has said a new law to replace the act would be tabled in the next Assembly session in June.

“The Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Control Bill, 2014, which is better than the existing one, will strictly deal with drunkards and people creating trouble under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

Under the law, the excise police will be given more powers. The police will be equipped with breathalysers. NGOs, to be called “groups of society”, will also be empowered to arrest drunks, the minister said.

Lalzirliana said the minimum punishment for drunks and troublemakers would be two months’ imprisonment while the maximum is two years. Emphasising that the new liquor law is crucial, Lalzirliana said it would safeguard Mizoram’s interests and appealed to all the churches to pray for the success of the law.

The opportunity to earn revenue — alcohol is a time-tested taxable source — is seen as the primary reason behind the government initiative. Suggestions that the total prohibition is a failure — Mizoram has been described by the governor as the “wettest dry state” — have also prompted the government to justify its decision.

A study group formed by the previous Congress government had concluded that total prohibition was a “total” failure. The group had tasked the psychology department of Mizoram University to assess the consequences of prohibition.

The research team found that mostly elders, women and church leaders wanted the prohibition to continue while the majority was of the opinion that the dry law was a failure. Those opposed to the dry law point out that it has pushed up the consumption of spurious liquor. Illicit liquor was responsible for 90 deaths in the past 17 years, according to state excise and narcotics department records.

Youth kills man in a fight over liquor

A youth allegedly killed a 45-year-old man in a fight over local liquor in Mizoram's southernmost Saiha district, the police said today.

The police said that R Lalmuankima clubbed James Zoherliana on his head for three times yesterday and the latter died after five hours in Meisatla of Saiha town.

The accused killed him after the deceased was found distilling the fermented rice made by the accused in his absence.

Lalmuankima was arrested by and charged with murder.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Bru Repatriation before Lok Sabha polls

AIZAWL: The Bru refugee repatriation from Tripura to Mizoram will be completed before the Lok Sabha polls. In this connection, the District Level Core Committee on Bru Repatriation and Rehabilitation Committee today held a meeting at Mamit in Mizoram. The meeting deliberated over the further process of the Bru refugees being lodged at Tripura Transit Camps. 96 families from three Transit Camps at Kaskau, Khangchangpara and Hamsapara have been verified so far out of the 330 families in the ongoing repatriation phase.

The Committee resolved to continue the verification process to complete repatriation of 330 families, as has been proposed. The meeting also decided that the report of the verification shall be submitted not later than March 21 to District Level Core Committee. The Committee decided to ensure rehabilitation of the refugees at the villages of their choice by calling in advance on the concerned village councils in this regard.

It is worth mentioning here that the relationship between the Mizos and the Brus has not been going well for the past 15 years. Hundreds of Brus had left Mizoram in 1997 and in 2009. The first case was triggered when Bru militants murdered two Mizo forest guards on October 21, 1997. The second case happened after a 17-year-old Mizo boy was killed by the Brus near Bungthuam village on November 13, 2009. When the Brus left Mizoram they had driven out some Mizos in villages of Sakhan Hill Range in Tripura like Sakhan Serhmun, Sakhan Tlangsang, Sakhan Tualsen and Upper Dosda which had kicked up much ruckus in Mizoram then.

Meanwhile, a head count conducted by the MBDPF a couple of years ago, found that there had been 31,703 Brus in the relief camps belonging to 5,448 families who were bona fide residents of Mizoram. The repatriation of the 1997 batch of Bru refugees was underway until it stalled because of the November 13 killing.

In the year 2011, a 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 and called for adequate rehabilitation from the Centre. Otherwise, the repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura relief camps should not be allowed, the memorandum had stated.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Lok Sabha elections: Mizoram votes on April 9

New Delhi: The northeastern state of Mizoram votes on April 9, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday.
The counting will be held on May 16.
The state has one Parliamentary Constituency.

The counting will be held on May 16. The state has one Parliamentary Constituency.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Drugs seized in Mizoram

Mizoram Excise and Narcotics officials today seized 15,000 tablets of Methamphetamine, reportedly smuggled from Myanmar, and arrested a Myanmarse national in this connection.

Commissioner of Excise and Narcotics L. Hmunsanga told PTI that the contraband was seized from a house in Ramthar Veng locality where Lalrimawia (42), a resident of Haimual village in Myanmar, was arrested.

Hmunsanga said the seized contraband was worth around Rs 37.5 lakh in the local market.

The accused was booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Methamphetamine, also known as 'speed pill' or just 'Meth', is an extremely dangerous drug and easily addicted by even first-time users made from the infamous pseudo-ephedrine, a clinical drug legally manufactured in India and extensively smuggled to Myanmar via Mizoram and other north eastern states.

Odisha thrash Mizoram 6-0 in national men’s hockey; top pool

Maintaining their winning streak, Hockey Gangpur of Odisha thrashed Mizoram 6-0 goals in their last league match in the 4th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium here today.

hockeyWith this win, Hockey Gangpur has topped the Pool-C group.

The Odisha team drew first blood in the 3rd minute when Ashish Anmol Minz scored through a field goal. Ten minutes later, Banamali Xess scored the second while Ashish Anmol Minz netted the third through a penalty corner.

The Mizoram players had no clue how to stop the marauding Gangpur team as Mangal Kispotta and Dillip Kerketta scored two goals in the 23rd and 30th minute.

In the second half, Sashi Topno scored a brilliant field goal in the 4th minute stretching the lead to 6-0.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Explosives recovered in Mizoram

Over 370 sticks of gelatin, 90 detonators and six coils of explosive fuse were recovered from a man, who was trying to transport them to militants in Manipur.

The man was arrested and his vehicle seized after recovery of the explosives on Saturday from Vaitin village in Mizoram, police said.

The accused was trying to transport the explosives to the militant outfit 'Hmar People's Convention (Democrats)' in Manipur.