Sunday, June 29, 2014

Mizoram to have first GSI Field Training Centre in NE

AIZAWL: The first Field Training Centre in North East under Geological Survey of India will be set up in Mizoram. State Industries Minister H. Rohluna laid the foundation stone for construction of the same today.

This GSI Field Training Centre will be among the centres set up in different parts of the country by Geological Survey of India (GSI) under Ministry of Mining. It will be a centre for study on the geography of Mizoram, its natural resources, and natural disasters like landslides and earthquakes.

Since 2010, training has been conducted in Mizoram for officers under GSI who have gone through UPSC. The Field Training Centre, when completed, will enhance the training centre in a comprehensive manner.

Dr. S. K. Wadhawan, Geological Survey of India (GSI) Director General on his part said that the Field Training Centre to be constructed at Durtlang is planned to be a 'world-class training centre'. He expressed hope that there will further be a good cooperation between Durtlang local authorities and GSI.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Technical Education Minister R. Romawia and Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Lalhimpuia also present at the foundation laying function at Durthlang, where the Field Training Centre in will be constructed.

Industries Minister H. Rohluna expressed gladness over the selection of Mizoram as one of the 12 Field Training Centres in India. He also expressed hope that the training centre will be of great help for the North East and for Mizoram in particular. He further expressed hope that the Field Training Centre will also enhance geological survey and disaster management projects in Mizoram.

Higher & Technical Education Minister R. Romawia said that the Field Training Centre will bring progress to Mizoram in terms of knowledge. He also expressed hope that the Training Centre, as would be a common centre for the entire North East, will also be a centre for sharing their varied cultures and as a result enhance unity among the people in the region.
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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Mizo tank cleaners still unwell

Aizawl: Five persons belonging to Saihapui V village bordering Cachar district of Assam, who fell ill after cleaning an abandoned water tank in April, are still hospitalized or under treatment, said village leaders.

Reports said the concrete water tank, which was constructed by Mizoram public health engineering (PHE) department in 2009 for providing water supply to Saihapui V village, was unutilized for five years.

The officials of PHE department decided to renovate the tank for use and sought the village council's help to clean it. Fiver persons, including three girls, were at the job on April 28. When they entered the tank, they found that it was filthy and full of bats.

H Malsawma (60), Lalbiakmawia (49) and three girls - Lalngilneii (30), Lalremtluangi and Vanlaldini - began to cough and had asthmatic attacks besides high fever the same night.

They had to be taken to hospital.

Lalngilneii was brought to the Civil Hospital in Aizawl on May 18 and she is still undergoing treatment here. She is being provided oxygen regularly. H Malsawma, who was treated at the nearby Vairengte hospital, was brought to the Presbyterian Hospital at Dungtlang near Aizawl where he is is in the ICU since early June. The others are being treated at their homes due to financial constraints and the village leaders decided to seek the help of the PHE department.
READ MORE - Mizo tank cleaners still unwell

243 pigs culled in Mizoram

Aizawl, Jun 27 :  At least 243 pigs have been culled in Mizoram due to recent outbreak of the dreaded swine disease, the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), state animal husbandry and veterinary department director Dr L B Sailo today said.

Sailo said that the cases of PRRS have decreased during the past one month and samples have been taken so far from 1,621 pigs even as the Centre had asked the state government to collect samples from all the pigs in Mizoram.

"There are around 2.5 lakh pigs in the state out of which 75 per cent were affected by the PRRS," Sailo said, adding that the infection rate has reduced considerably now.

The PRRS was propagated by pigs imported from neighbouring Myanmar where it was prevalent, he said.

Though the state government, through the district magistrates of the districts adjoining Myanmar issued prohibitory orders, smugglers continued to smuggle pigs and piglets from Myanmar through the porous 404-km-long international border with that country, he said.
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One arrested with heroin worth Rs 1.92 lakh

Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department officials seized 63.5 gms of heroin in Aizawl while the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed around the globe today.
Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department officials seized 63.5 gms of heroin in Aizawl while the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed around the globe today.
The Excise and Narcotics department officials said one Lalthanvula of Red Rose, Bawngkawn, Aizawl was arrested in this connection and was booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The contraband, worth around Rs 1.92 lakh in the local market, was reportedly smuggled from Myanmar via the Mizoram-Myanmar border river Tiau, the officials added.
READ MORE - One arrested with heroin worth Rs 1.92 lakh

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

MZP constructs Zofate Chawlhbuk along Indo-Bangla border

Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo students' federation members today constructed the 'Zofate Chawlhbuk' or 'Mizo Inn' at southern Mizoram's Borapansury village on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

State Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zorammawia said no untoward incident was reported from the area where the Chakma community is concentrated.

The MZP constructed the Zofate Chawlhbuk as a token of protest against alleged uncontrolled illegal influx of Chakmas from neighbouring Bangladesh.

MZP leaders said there were only 198 Chakmas in Mizoram in the 1911 Census and the population of the community has grown to around one lakh now.

"The population growth of the Chakma community in Mizoram is extremely abnormal indicating massive illegal immigration from Bangladesh and the situation has become a demographic nightmare for the native Mizo people," the student leaders said.

They attributed displacement of Chakma community by construction of Kaptai Dam in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the erstwhile East Pakistan government and also creation of a separate Chakma Autonomous District Council in the state by the Centre for the unchecked inflow of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The Zofate Chawlhbuk was constructed at the land allotted to the MZP by the state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department in Borapansury in Lawngtlai district.

All NGOs and political parties of the Chakma community had protested the construction and had even boycotted the bye-election to the Borapansury seat in the Chakma Autonomous District Council this month.
READ MORE - MZP constructs Zofate Chawlhbuk along Indo-Bangla border

Youth from Mizoram dies in RIMS boys’ hostel

Imphal, Jun 26 : An MBBS student from Mizoram, Benjamin Laithlamuana, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) premises here this afternoon.
The RIMS authorities do not suspect any foul play, as there were reports of the student suffering from depression.
The sixth semester student’s hostel mates found him hanging by a cloth from the ceiling fan in his room in the boys’ hostel at 1pm today.
“Some hotel mates found him hanging from the ceiling fan when they entered his room to check on him. They reported the matter to the institute authorities,” Iboyaima Laithangbam, RIMS media adviser, said. The students found the door closed but not bolted from inside.
Laithlamuana was staying in a single room, as the hostel is a single-room accommodation. There was no suicide note, though the RIMS authorities believe it was a case of suicide.
His friends did not see him this morning at breakfast and during lunch in the hostel mess. Some of his friends then went to his room to find what was wrong with him, sources said.
If it is a case of suicide this will be the first time that a student of the RIMS, a central institute, did so on the campus.
Lamphel police station registered a case and the body is being kept at the mortuary of the institute for post-mortem.
The possible motive given by officials of the institute was depression. Sources said the student did not perform well in the fifth semester examination.
“It is a shocking incident. We have informed the student’s relatives,” medical superintendent M. Amuba said.
Though no foul play was suspected, the RIMS authorities said an internal probe would be conducted to find out how the incident took place. This will be in addition to the police investigation.
The teaching and non-teaching staff and students of the institute held a joined condolence meeting later in the day in the examination hall. They observed a two-minute silence. Institute director S. Sekharjit sent a condolence message to the family of the student.
The body would be flown to his home state tomorrow. Some of his friends would accompany the body to his home as the family informed the RIMS authorities that they would not be coming to take the body.
READ MORE - Youth from Mizoram dies in RIMS boys’ hostel

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Mizo Cops deployed

Aizawl, Jun 25 : The Mizoram government today deployed more policemen in southern Mizoram’s Borapansury village in view of the student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP)’s proposed construction of a zofate khualbuk (Mizo inn) in the Bangladesh border village.
Inspector-general of police Zorammawia said though they did not apprehend a serious law and order situation, precautionary measures have been taken in the area dominated by Chakmas.
Several students, led by MZP president Lalhmachhuana, left Aizawl today to construct the inn on a plot allocated for them in Borapansury village.
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The Mizo Accord

By L. Memo Singh
After several months of enforced idleness in Delhi, Laldenga, the leader of MNF (Mizo National Front) was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984 – the day she was assassinated. The situation compelled him to leave for London. He returned early in August 1985, with the expectation of signing the Mizo Accord with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
After five years in the Chittagong forests of East Pakistan and several years outside, he returned to India in 1976 and in February that year signed an accord with the Government of India. After Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was swept away from power, Laldenga made approaches to the Janata Government and later to Charan Singh ;s Government. He did not succeed in fulfilling his political ambition of being installed as the Chief Minister of Mizo land. When Mrs. Gandhi returned to power in 1980, Laldenga again started the dialogue.
A retired Army Havildar, Laldenga founded the Mizo National Famine Front in 1956-57 when the Assam Government failed to deal with the “Maotam” famine in the Lushai Hills. That was how the land of Mizo’shad bourgeoned embryonic before it becomes a Union Territory. The word Maotam owes its origin to the flowering of the wild bamboo once in 59 years. The bamboo fruit, relished by rodents contains an alkaloid which enhances their fertility many times over. Rats multiply and destroy crops and consume all the grain.
On 22 October, 1961, Laldenga formed the Mizo National Front(MNF) and its armed wing, MNA. He openly came out for cessation and independence and after a few bloody clashes with the security forces crosses over into East Pakistan. He was arrested and brought back to Assam in 1963. Chaliha, the Chief Minister of Assam saw in Laldenga the potential to neutralise the Anti congressMizo Union Party.Laldengaresponded positively to Chaliha’s overtures and even managed to secure an acquittal from the charge of treason. On 28 February 1966, he suddenly declared independence of Mizoram and again started the insurgency.
During the last tenure of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the venerable and elder diplomate with a long record of service to the country, who had been conducting negotiations with Laldenga for almost four years was G. Parthasarathy (known as G.P). He was the policy planning Advisor to the Prime Minister in the Ministry of External Affairs, a close advisor to Indira Gandhi,Parthasarathy enjoyed the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
After the signing of the Assam Accord on 15th August, 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had taken up the Mizo issue. He studied the draft of an agreement and a note by G. Parthasarathy. He marked certain paragraphs of the draft in bold fluorescentyellow and orange colours. The draft had been ready for the past ten months. The Prime Minister suddenly decided to take away the negotiations from G. Parthasarathy and hand them over to R.D. Pradhan, the Home Secretary who had worked closely with Rajiv Gandhi in the past eight months on Punjab and Assam.
Handing over a sheaf of papers to the Home Secretary, the Prime Minister said,”Pradhanji, I won’t agree with this,” He added, Laldenga is becoming impossible. I want you to handle the negotiations henceforth. Make sure that he understands that the Government of India will not sign any document containing these paras in orange. Those in yellow will not be modified.
Earlier, the Home Secretary, R.D. Pradhan hardly knew anything about the Mizo’s and their land except for knowing that the Union Territory was situated on India’s eastern borders. For him, the Mizo National Front(MNF) and their leader Laldenga were names that he had seen in the Home Ministry’s files.
After handing over the sheaf of papers to R. Vasudevan, his Joint Secretary dealing with the North-East, the Home Secretary glanced through sme tourist literature on Mizoram to get a general idea of the place. He was fully confident of his Joint Secretary who belonged to the IAS cadre of Maharashtra. R. Vasudevan was a quiet, efficient officer through in his work. The Home Secretary spent a couple of hours with R. Vasudevan, with great thoroughness; the Joint Secretary also briefed him about the issues involved.
The Home Secretary also went to Parthasarathy’s office to get a briefing from him about his talks with Laldenga. G.P. with the serenity and detachment that was his hallmark, explained to him the various issues. He also offered to help him, in whatever way he could. Parthasarathy also told him of the good impression he had formed of R. Vasudevan, the Joint Secretary.
Laldenga was already in Delhi. He was the guest of the Government of India. The Indian security agencies were looking after him and his colleagues from the underground who had come over the assist him. Laldenga’s past was not only colourful; it also showed he was untrustworthy. He had visited China, East Pakistan, West Germany and even Kabul and Karachi in search of support for his cause. There was a suspicious that some international agencies might be helping him. On the other hand the Indian security agencies had also kept in close touch with him. S. Swaminathan, a Senior RAW Officer who had established a good relationship with Laldenga, was also a very old friend of R.D. Pradhan. This luckily coincidence and his link with Laldengawas to prove very useful to him. R.D. Pradhan felt safe indealing with a high-profile insurgent, who had in the past two decades earned a reputation for his cunning and craftiness in negotiations.
In the early part of September, 1985, the Union Home Secretary, R.D. Pardhan invited Laldenga to his office. Laldenga had assumed that agreement on all matters had been reached with Parthasarathy and that the meeting with the Home Secretary was a mere formality. He was accompanied by two of his aides from the underground. The Home Secretary greeted Laldenga and his colleagues. Laldenga was stiff and formal. He was dressed in a carefully pressed brown suit and a bright red tie. A small compact-bodies man, he looked remarkably fit. His two associates were of athletic build. They were from the Mizo National Army (MNA) and had undergone years of hardship in no man’s land, across borders in Burma, East Pakistan (Bangladesh). They had small piercing bright eyes, and their body language showed that they were trained to survive in the jungles.
On entering the room of the Home Secretary, Laldenga, with his steel-rimmed thick glasses wore a puzzled look.Perhaps he found it infra dig to be summoned to meet the Home Secretary. He was dealing with a Cabinet level official and was looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister to formally conclude the accord.
After making sure that Laldenga had a few minutes to contemplate the new situation in which he was to soon find himself, the Home Secretary looked at his Joint Secretary, R. Vasudevan to make an opening move. Vasudevan had earlier met Laldenga in Parthasarathy’s office. He enquired whether they were being properly looked after. Laldenga replied curtly and for information for the Home Secretary, “Too well !we have been in Delhi for several months. In fact, last year I was to meet Mrs. Gandhi on 31 October the day she was assassinated”.
It was true that with the generosity of the Government of India after the unfortunate occurrence Laldenga had gone to London to spend Christmas with his wife and daughter. The Home Secretary enquired about the progress of his talks. Emphasising each word, Laldenga said in his clipped accent, “Mr. Home Secretary, I presume the meeting is in the nature of a courtesy call. My talks with Mr.Parthasarathy have advanced a great deal. In fact, except for making arrangement for my people in the underground to come out in the open everything has been finalised. I am waiting to meet the Prime Minister to sort out the political issues.”
In the past, on four different occasions, Laldenga had either reneged on the agreement or left Indian in a huff because he could not get theChief Ministership of Mizoram, as a price for giving up insurgency and the demand for independence.The Home Secretary, keeping in view Laldenga’s political bargain that was equally important for him and his unpalatable acts, as politely as he could told Laldenga that henceforth he would have to talk to the Home Secretary instead. The Home Secretary also hinted that some matters that Laldenga had discussed with Parthasarathy required looking into a fresh.
Laldenga’s reaction was predictable. He was visibly upset. The Home Secretary could sense the anger building up within him. There was a reddish glow on his face and the veins on his forehead were throbbing. His two colleagues were looking intently at their leader. Controlling his anger he said, “Mr. Home Secretary, if you propose to reopen and go back on what has been agreed upon I shall return to the jungles and take up arms. There will be bloodshed again and you will be responsible for that.”
Just then tea was served. Taking the opportunity in stirring sugar in his cup the Home Secretary thought of his reaction. He did not forget the brief given to him by the Prime Minister himself : to engage Laldenga in talks and retrieve some of the ground that had already been conceded to him. He said,”Mr. Laldenga we are meeting for the first time. you don’t know me. I don’t know you.” After a pause, “But, I do know that you are still the leader of an insurgency. Today you are in Delhi under some kind of guarantees regarding your persons.”
After the pose of a few second, the Home Secretary added, “If I have heard you right, you have threatened me. You have talked of bloodshed. You are in the room of the Union Home Secretary. If what I have understood is correct, I shall have to take action that the law requires me to take.” Laldenga looked at his colleagues and turning his head looked intently at the Home Secretary. Almost eyeball to eyeball. The Joint Secretary, R. Vasudevan was anxiously looking at both of them. Then, instead of a volcanic eruption of temper, Laldenga broke into laughter and said, “Mr. Home Secretary, it seems I can do business with you. You appear to be a pretty straightforward person.”
Laldenga must have known the trust that the Prime Minister reposed in the Home Secretary who had regarded Laldenga as a consummate actor and admitted that he had proved his charismatic leadership and how otherwise would hundreds of young Mizos spend the best years of their life in the underground, in one of the most inhospitable of jungles.
The talks of R.D. Pradhan, the Union Home Secretary with Laldenga thus started. The difficult task which the Home Secretary had on hand was that he had to ‘withdraw’ certain concessions already made by Parthasarathy and also obtain Laldenga’s agreement on a couple of new points raised by the Prime Minister himself.
One important matter in these talks with Laldenga was the modalities for his armed men underground to come out lay down their arms and be helped to integrate in their beloved Mizo society. It was the exclusive preserve of the Home Ministry. The Home Secretary took full advantage of that to drag out the negotiations, till he had achieved the task that PM had entrusted to him.
During the subsequent long process Rajiv Gandhi kept his understanding with the Home Secretary. Despite several efforts on behalf of Laldenga to make direct overtures, PM did not meet him. He did not want to come on the scene himself too soon. The only senior minister whom Laldenga could meet was S.B. Chavan, the Home Minister, who allowed the Home Secretary to full freedom to handle Laldenga. He came in only when the talks got bagged down. The Home Secretary also wanted to ensure that all major concessions were made by the Home Minister. It was his privilege.
As soon as Laldenga came to know that some matters settled between Parthasarathy and him were proposed to reopen, the crafty leader began to make his own moves. He started meeting opposition leaders, as probably advised by his counsel, SwarajKaushal, who later became the Governor of Mizoram during V.P. Singh’s regime. In the beginning of October, 1985, Laldenga even leaked to the press the full text of the agreement reached between him and Partharasathy. He obviously wanted the world to know that Rajiv Gandhi was going back on what had been agreed. That was one way of putting pressure on the Government of India.
One day when Rajiv Gandhi met the Home Secretary, the Prime Minister asked him addressing as such, “Yours good friend Laldenga.” The Home Secretary responded, “He’s great. Our love affairs has just started. I must have some more time to allow our relationship to flowers !” laughingly Rajiv Gandhi said, “Take your own time. I will not accept anything that contains those objectionable portions.”
Basically, there were three issues that rightly bothered the Prime Minister.
The first related to the assurance that with the signing of the accord all prosecutions against MNF members would be withdrawn, whatever may be the nature of the offence committed by them during the entire period of insurgency. They were to be granted pardon.
Secondly, no Act of Parliament in respect of resources under the land in Mizoram shall apply, unless the State Assembly resolved that it should apply.
The third demand was for statehood, a separate High Court and a university.
On the first point, the Prime Minister’s objection was consistent with the policy followed by the Home Ministry since independence. There was no question of granting pardon to those who had committed a heinous crime. The second objection arose from problems that had arisen in Nagaland, where under Art. 371(I) of the Constituency, no Act of Parliament in respect of “ownership and transfer of land and its resources,” would automatically apply to Nagaland. There had been a series of problems because of the three words ‘and its resources’. ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Commission) had not been able to carry out its exploration work smoothly; several other agencies of the Government of India were facing problems. Some central government officials had even been murdered. PM did not want a repeat of that in Mizoram. Nagaland issues were already before the Supreme Court on the third issue there was no difficulty in principle.
Laldenga tried his best to stall the negotiations at the point they were ‘concluded’ with Parthasarathy. On the part of the Home Secretary, he took the line that unless he was ready to reopen those issues, there would be no agreement on any scheme for the MNF army to come out in the open. In fact, at that stage, the negotiations were being closely monitored by the so called commander –in-Chief of the Mizo National Army, Tawnluia. He invariably accompanied Laldenga in his meetings with the Home Secretary.
Laldenga was becoming increasingly relaxed and friendly. Once he thanked the Home Secretary and with a good gesture the Home Secretary told him, “Laldenga, in an interview with Surya magazine, you have said that you are the Government of India’s guest. We must look after you that’s our tradition.”
Laldenga had a hearty laugh. Taking advantage of his good mood the Home Secretary said, “Now let me tell you something more important-you have also said in that interview: “until I sign an agreement, I won’t call myself an Indian. In a more serious vein the Home Secretary said, “As Home Secretary I have no business to negotiate with a foreigner. In fact, because you abjured violence and gave us a written understanding that you would discuss within the frame work of the constitution, I am meeting you now.
Laldenga was showing the effects of the soft life. Months of enforced idleness in Delhi, interspersed with occasional talks with the Home Secretary or courtesy calls on the Home Minister, were showing its effects. He longed to be with his people but he would not go to Mizoram, fearing assassination. Nor could he go to London empty handed. He talked to the Home Secretary about his arifeand only laughter, who were in London. The Home Secretary learnt from his friend Swamy, the RAW official how they were being taken care of. As Christmas of 1985 approached Laldenga became increasingly homesick.
The Indian Government had made arrangement for his return to London to spend Christmas with its family. Swamy had even arranged for him to take Christmas presents for the family. Laldenga was delighted.
While Laldenga was away, RD Pradhan, the Home Secretary visited Aizwal. Lt. Governor Dubey looked after him and Lalthanhawla, the lunch for him where he met all his ministers. Besides, the Home Secretary met a number of political leaders. He found the Mizos warm, friendly and always smiling.
He flew in a helicopter all over the southern and eastern parts of Mizoram. He was fascinated by the emerald green forests covering rolling hills all along the Indo-Burma border. He did a reconnaissance by air of the areas where the MNA were expected to come out in the open. He thought of his task to work out a detailed scheme for Laldenga’s army to enjoy the fruits of freedom.
In the beginning of February 1986, there were reports that Laldenga was getting restive in London. He started making enquiries at the India High Commission as when the Government of India wanted him to return. When Swamy told the Home Secretary that in his desperation Laldenga may say or do something foolish, he spoke to PM. He sent a message and got Laldenga back in Delhi.
No longer, the Home Secretary had initiated talking about the scheme to enable Laldenga’s army to come out. Talking of the surrender of MNA personnel the former became conscious of the inner turmoil a ‘soldier’ must undergo when, after two decades of insurgency, he is asked to disarm. To ensure that there was no feelings of humiliation, the Home Secretary worked out a drill. As the MNA members crossed the border at Parva, situated in the southern most point, each person would enter a hut and deposit all his arms inside. He would come on and walk for a couple of hundred metres before being met by the Indian army personnel. The act of laying down arms was to be made in privacy so that there would be no humiliation.
Laldenga appreciated all the consideration shown to his army personnel and the acities that would be awarded to them, once they came out. The Home Secretary’s objective was clear : to let MNA’s so called commander-in-chief known that the Union Home Secretary was a reasonable and sensitive person, he respected a soldier – even a rebel. If the accord did not come about, it was because of the unreasonable attitude of their Chief, Laldenga.
There was yet another reason. It was not sure whether the MNA would honour the peace accord reached by Laldenga with Government of India. For several years, Laldenga was living in comfort, far away from his hard-core followers, who were somehow surviving for over two decades in one of the most in hospitable jungles of South-East Asia. His devited aide Zoramthang was at that time with the MNA and much would depend on his influence with so-called army officers. It was the assurance of the Home Secretary that Laldenga, through his trusted emissaries, could establish contact with Zoramthanga and get firm, assurances from the latter that all MNA personnel would come out with their arms and ammunition. Once that was assured, the Home Secretary would take firm steps to move forward to reach the accord.
In the beginning of June, the Home Secretary told Rajiv Gandhi that the time was ripe to put pressure on Laldenga. Arjun Singh, the Vice President of the Congress Party took responsibility to deal with Laldenga for political matters. An ace diplomat Arjun Singh kept him talking. On 25 June Rajiv Gandhi asked the Chief Minister Lalthanhawla to be present with his entire cabinet. A political agreement was signed between Arjun Singh, the congress (I) Vice President and Laldenga in the presence of the Congress President and the Chief Minister and his colleagues. These outlined the coalition arrangements in the Interim Advisory council to the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory. That was the first time Rajiv Gandhi met Laldenga since R.D. Pradhan, the Home Secretary took over negotiations, but refused to talk to him about the details of the ongoingnegotiations.
That morning, before signing the agreement with the Congress(I), Laldenga came over to meet the Home Secretary. He was in a happy mood. He was already seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He told the Home Secretary of high hopes and jubilation in Aizawl and other places in Mizoram. The Home Secretary took Laldenga to Buta Singh, the Home Minister and they assured him of an early solution to the pending issues. That evening the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs was briefed of the stage of negotiations. The Home Secretary was authorised to push ahead. Now a satisfactory political arrangement had been worked out.
The Home Secretary, RD. Pradhan was due to retire from service on 30th June, 1986. He also wanted to complete the task before laying down his office. He found himself captivated by Laldenga’s enigmatic personality and the easy informality of a Mizo who had, by that time begun to trust him.
June 27 was the birthday of RD. Pradhan, the Home Secretary. He invited Laldenga for a cup of tea and told him that in three days he would lay down office. It was for Laldenga to consider seriously whether he was willing to agree on the terms suggested to him. He assured the Home Secretary that he would go back to his legal advisor, SwarajKawshal and also speak to his colleagues, most of who were in Delhi. The Home Secretary did not hear from his for two days.
Around 2:30 PM on the 30th June, Laldenga came to see the Home Secretary alone. This was the first time he had done so. The Home Minister had done so. The Home Ministry had arranged a farewell function, when Buta Singh and other ministers had been invited.
The Home Secretary nostalgically recalled to Laldenga their first meeting in his office and about the mutual trust and understanding that they had developed, as two individuals. One cup of tea, he said, “Mr.Laldenga, I have fallen in love with your land and the Mizos. Perhaps one day, very soon, I can greet you and your family there.”
Laldenga became emotional. After a pause to clear his throat he said “I wish I could have concluded the accord with you.”
The Home Secretary said, “It’s too late. In three hours I will not only leave this office but stand retired from government service.” But suddenly he said, “Laldenga, if you are ready to be flexible, perhaps we can reach a settlement before I leave this office. You could later sign the accord with my success.” He added most sincerely“But as a friend, I ought to warn you that if you do not have a settlement with me, you may have to go on discussing pending issues with my successors for years to come. I do not know how many.”
Laldenga appeared anxious and said “Can I consult my colleagues and come back to you?” The Home Secretary replied, “Please go ahead but return before 4:30 PM. Thereafter I must go and bid farewell to the Home Minister and the Prime Minister and be back for the function in the Ministry.” Replied the Home Secretary.
Laldenga left in a hurry. The Home Secretary and his Joint Secretary felt that a breakthrough was in sight. The Joint Secretary adarised the Ministry officials to postpone the farewell to the next day, the reason of which is known to him only.
The Home Secretary spoke to the Home Minister and quickly briefed the PM. He was asked to persist in his efforts and not lay down office.
At 4:30 Laldenga came over with his team. In less than one hour they sorted out their differences of perception on outstanding matters and cleared a draft. A couple of really vital points were left for the final decision of the Prime Minister, on the clear understanding that none of the matters settled between them would be reopened by Laldenga in his meeting with the PM. The Home Secretary warned him that the clock was ticking away for him.
A short while later, both the Home Secretary and Laldenga went over to 7 Race Course Road, the PM quickly cleared the two pending points.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met at short notice and approved the draft of the agreement, with the task accomplished, the Home Secretary bade goodbye to the Ministers. As he was about to take his final farewell of the PM, the latter said, “Pradhanji you have worked hard in shaping the accord. I want you to sign it before you retire. Do it within half an hour so that it comes over the 9:30 Prime Minister TV news. “The Home Secretary was deeply touched at the PM’s gesture.”
It was already 8:30 PM. The Home Secretary’s mind was very clear that under the Civil Services Rules, he already stood retired after office hours and thus he could not affix his signatures to a formal document. He mentioned the fact to the PM. He looked at the Home Secretary and said in all seriousness, “Why can’t I give you an extension?”
It was fully within his powers. But the Home Secretary had decided long back that he must retire on that day. He said to PM, “Sir, have publicly declared that you will not give any extension to any retiring office. I would beg to you not to make an exception in my case.”
Rahiv Gandhi was determined. He asked the Home Secretary to consult the Law Secretary in his presence. The Home Secretary got the Law Secretary over the RAX. He advised that if the Home Secretary had not formally handed over charge to his successor, he would stand retired only at midnight PM was happy. He asked the Home Secretary to hurry over to his office and sign the accord with Laldenga.
Rajiv Gandhi asked V. George to make all arrangements for Doordarshan to cover the historic event. He wanted to witness it on the TV screen.
By 9:00 pmLaldenga has arrived with his wife and his colleagues. A few ministers from Mizoram, including the Chief Minister Lalthanhawla were already seated at the tong table.
In the short time available, R. Vasudevan had efficiently, prepared the document titled “Memorandum of Settlement on Mizoram.” They had affixed their signatures respectively: Laldenga for the MNF, Lalthanhawla on behalf of the Mizoram government and the Home Secretary RD. Pradhan on behalf of the Government of India.
Laldenga said a few words into the microphone. The Home Secretary was overcome with emotion. Here is gist of what he said, “I thank the PM for allowing me to handle these negotiations. I am grateful to him for giving me the unique distinction to say farewell to my service career. I would like to convey over Doordarshan my grateful thanks to the nation for all the opportunities got to serve it and to seek fulfilment in my work. I wish the Mizo people all the happiness and prosperity on this joyous occasion.”
He was grateful to Laldenga as well. He paid his regard as such, “A realist, Laldenga had fought for a cause, patiently negotiated for an honourable settlement and clinched peace at the right moment.”
The Home Secretary walked out of Gate No. 4 of the North Block with a sense of relief. He was happy as he could help the PM to translate his hope and vision into accords.
In July, 1986, Rajiv Gandhi went to Mizoram himself in quest of peace. A seventy two hour tour of good will was the follow up to his Mizo Accord. Laldenga became the joyful leader of the interim governrment. With the surrender of arms by the Mizo National Front guerrillas, after 20 years of strife, Rajiv Gandhi promised statehood to Mizoram, the introduction of Mizo as an official Indian Language. Gandhi emphasized that the centre would not tolerate renewed violence. On August 7, 1986, the Indian government conferred statehood on the territory of Mizoram. The Mizos were also promised constitutional protection for the religious and social customs and laws of the Mizo people.
In implementing the Mizo Accord, there had arised some difficulties. Opposition parties like the Janata party, the BharatiyaJanata Party, The Communists, and Congress(S) opposed the Mizo Accord, condemning it as “buying peace from armed rebels” rather than seeing it as a victory for national interest.
On the other hand, Rajiv Gandhi’s conclusion of the Mizo Accord was built upon earlier unsuccessful efforts of both Indira Gandhi and Moraji Desai to bring peace to the region. Rajiv Gandhi had already taken a view publicly that welfare of the people was more important to him whether the Congress (I) remained in power in Mizoram or not. (Rajiv Gandhi – Accords & Discords – P.98) Much of the opposition to the Mizo Accord was based on politics, not on the Accord, which was the result of long years of consultation and negotiation. Rajiv’s success bringing an end to twenty years of sustained jungle warfare was a victory in itself. It is doubtful that a rebellion of such magnitude will occur again among the Mizos.
READ MORE - The Mizo Accord

Monday, June 23, 2014

Green Mizoram: Lal Thanhawla inaugurates Landscape Devt project

Aizawl, Jun 24 : A project initiated by Environment & Forest department, government of Mizoram 'Unique Landscape Development Programme in and around Durtlang Kham (Precipice)' was launched on Sunday.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla inaugurated the same in a function organised for the purpose at Leitan YMA Hall.

Local councils of Durtlang, Leitan, Bawngkawn and Chaltlang, who are to carry out the project, were invited in the launching programme today.

Inaugurating the Unique Landscape Development Programme, the Chief Minister said that the area in and around Durtlang is the only beautiful and serene space left in the northern part of Aizawl, in acknowledgement of which, the state government is most concerned over its protection from fire etc.

in its preservation and renovation as well.

Lal Thanhawa lauded the local councils for dedicating the lands under their respective jurisdiction and for coming forward with a true sense of ownership.

"It is our responsibility to embellish the land in our possession with a sense of ownership", he added.

The Chief Minister mentioned in his speech that attempt was made in 2008 with Aizawl Development Authority (ADA) to embellish the land above-mentioned for panoramic view.

It was even proposed that the house-sites allotted between Bawngkawn and Durtlang may be cancelled.

'Despite vigorous attempt, the plan was unsuccessful", CM said.

Chief Minister expressed thankfulness over the younger generation for developing the sense of environment protection.

He also lauded some YMA branches in some parts of the State for carrying out programmes of wildlife, bamboo and trees protection.

The Chief Minister handed over the fund for carrying out the Landscape Development Programme through the local councils.
READ MORE - Green Mizoram: Lal Thanhawla inaugurates Landscape Devt project

2 dead, five of family fall ill consuming mushroom

Two persons, a woman and a ten-year-old boy died after eating mushroom in south Mizoram's remote Sentetfiang hamlet, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Lawngtlai district Dr HC Thangkima today said.

The ten-year-old boy Roneihmawia , studying in class six, and his five family members ate three different kinds of mushroom cooked in one utensil at a dinner on Thursday, Dr Thangkima told PTI over the phone.

All the family members vomited and had severe stomach pain and Roneihmawia, the most serious one was taken to nearby Sangau Primary Health Centre, where he died on Saturday evening, he said.

Another Renthluaii, a neighbour, who visited the family over dinner and tasted the mushroom died today at around noon.

The condition of Roneihmawia's father LH Malsawma was also stated to be serious but no other persons were admitted at the Sangau PHC due to the absence of the doctor there.

The doctor posted at the Sangau PHC recently joined as the Medical Officer and went back to Aizawl due to his marriage ceremony held on June 21, Dr Thangkima said.

"The doctor is rushed back to Sangau," he said.

A team of doctors was sent to Sentetfiang, relocated at the foothills of Phawngpui of the Blue Mountain, the highest mountain in Mizoram as it was inside the Phawngpui National Park, Dr Thangkima added.

Incidentally, in Mizoram, till date five people have died this monsoon due to consumption of wild mushroom.
READ MORE - 2 dead, five of family fall ill consuming mushroom

Arrest of Nigerian National unveils a chain of crimes

New Delhi, Jun 24 : Last week, a Nigerian National residing in Bangalore with his wife and two other people from Manipur were arrested for their alleged involvement in cheating a woman of Rs 11 lakh on the pretext of providing a job.

On further further investigation carried out by The Sangai Express it has come to light the story involves a series of forced labour, trafficking, assault and rape of young girls, beside the fraud charges.

Two women from Mizoram and one woman and a boy from Manipur came from their respective State after they were promised jobs in a restaurant in Bangalore, allegedly by Douthanglian (also from Manipur and is arrested now).

While the women are in their twenties, the boy is reportedly about 16 years of age.


Arrest of Nigerian National unveils a chain of crimes
Arrest of Nigerian National unveils a chain of crimes


Sources in Bangalore informed that the boy and the girls were made to work in a night Bar.

This night Bar was owned and managed by the Nigerian national, Prince Johnson (aged about 39) and his wife Jennie (from Manipur) .

However even after more than a month they were not paid their salary.

The two girls from Mizoram managed to escape and somehow the information reached one social activist and Profesor at UTC Bangalore, Rini Ralte , who told this Correspondent that she and a team later rescued the other two from Manipur.

"We had to literally push our way through to get inside the dormitory where the Bar employers were huddled together," Ralte said and added that most of them were Nigerian and African nationals.

On further investigation, after the four were kept in a shelter home , the girls revealed that they were sexually assaulted several times by their employer, said Ralte.

"We made arrangements for their repatriation and the three were sent back to their home State, but the Manipuri woman was named in the the cheating case of Rs 11 lakh," Ralte further informed.

The woman, Mrs Kim (name changed) is a widow and a mother of two.

A bank account was operated in her name where the Rs 11 lakh was allegedly deposited.

The people who were cheated of the Rs 11 lakh also belong to Manipur.

According to Ralte, Mrs Kim could only recollect that she was made to sign a document , the content of which she did not have any knowledge about.

"She studied only upto class V," said Ralte.

In her late 20s in the Night Bar, Kim was made to do menial works.

Moreover, sources in Mumbai told The Sangai Express that the Nigerian National was involved in a case related to an alleged rape of a 25 year old student from Manipur earlier in May 2012.The Nigerian was arrested and kept in judicial custody and later was released on bail after 14 days.

On condition of anonymity, a relative of Ms Lucy (name changed) said that they received a summon only once from Bangalore police to appear for investigation at the police station in June 2012 .

Since then there has been no further communication .

They came to know that the accused is living a free life only from the news report of his arrest on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the rape survivor has sought help from the State Government.

"Some relief in the form of a compensation of about a few thousand came from the social welfare" said a relative.

Successive appeals for further relief and help has not yielded any response or action so far.

It may be mentioned that the survivor could not continue her studies after the traumatic incident.
READ MORE - Arrest of Nigerian National unveils a chain of crimes

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Voting on for lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram

Polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram began on the state Assembly premises this morning.
The fate of the two candidates -- Ronald Sapa Tlau of the ruling Congress and L Ramkinlova of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) -- would be decided by the 40-member Assembly today.
Polling began at 9 am and would conclude at 4 pm following which the counting will take place at 5 pm. Congress has 34 legislators in the state Assembly while MNF has five. MNF's junior partner, Mizoram People's Conference, has one legislator.
READ MORE - Voting on for lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Refugees don't leave Tripura for Mizoram

The much-awaited repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura didn't resume Tuesday as the displaced men and women refused to go back to Mizoram unless their demands were met.

Over 36,000 Reang tribals are sheltered in seven camps in northern Tripura for almost 17 years.

"We want financial assistance of Rs.150,000 per family, political settlement of the ethnic problem and adequate security from paramilitary forces," refugee leader Ranjit Reang said.

He was speaking to reporters at Kanchanpur, 185 km north of the Tripura capital Agartala.

The Mizoram government earlier announced they would make necessary arrangements to take back the tribal refugees. But no officials of the Mizoram government Tuesday came to the refugee camps in Tripura.

The refugees, including women, began a sit-in demonstration at the Kanchanpur refugee camp Tuesday in support of their demands, which also included signing an agreement between the refugees, the union home ministry and the governments of Tripura and Mizoram.

North Tripura District Magistrate Sandeep R. Rathod told IANS on phone that they had arranged a large number of vehicles for the refugees to move to Mizoram.

"But no tribal is ready to go back to western Mizoram," he said.

Over 36,000 Reang tribals, locally called 'Bru', are sheltered in seven camps in northern Tripura since October 1997.

They fled their villages in western Mizoram following clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official in October 1997.

The Mizoram home department said in Aizawl that the central government had sanctioned Rs.7.87 crore as financial assistance for the repatriated refugees.

"An adequate amount of foodgrain has been stored to provide free ration to the repatriated tribal refugees for one year," an official added.

The official said refugee leaders had told the Supreme Court's Special Commissioner Harsh Mander that if the Mizoram government ensured their security and livelihood, they would return to their villages.

Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana met senior officials in Aizawl recently and decided to facilitate the return of the refugees.

Only about 5,000 refugees have returned to their homes in the past three-and-a-half years.

READ MORE - Refugees don't leave Tripura for Mizoram

Mizos to root for Spain, respect Germany

Nandakumar Marar
  • India striker and WIFA XI captain Steven Dias (blue) with Mizoram captain Zico Zorensanga (red) at kick-off during the exhibition match between the two sides hosted by WIFA at the Cooperage stadium.
    The Hindu India striker and WIFA XI captain Steven Dias (blue) with Mizoram captain Zico Zorensanga (red) at kick-off during the exhibition match between the two sides hosted by WIFA at the Cooperage stadium.
  • Mizoram team receiving the cheque from Freight Express International Cargo founder Pratap Nair (2nd from left) at a felicitation function hosted by the latter in honour of the north-east state for winning the 2014 Santosh Trophy. Special guest John Abraham joins in the applause.
    The Hindu Mizoram team receiving the cheque from Freight Express International Cargo founder Pratap Nair (2nd from left) at a felicitation function hosted by the latter in honour of the north-east state for winning the 2014 Santosh Trophy. Special guest John Abraham joins in the applause.
  • Mizoram team official Vanlalmawia (right).
    The Hindu Mizoram team official Vanlalmawia (right).
World Cup football colours our planet in different hues. Mizoram is one corner in north-east India reflecting the frenzy in far away Brazil, transmitted via flickering television images into homes. “We are crazy about football. Each and every house watches matches,” pointed out Vanlalmawia, manager of the Santosh Trophy 2014 winning Mizoram squad, on a visit to Mumbai. “Football standards go up locally after every World Cup. Everyone is watching in homes, including players who get influenced by what they get to see night after night.”
Spain is at the top of their mind, Germany and England are emotional favourites with the Mizos. The reasons are specific. “Let Spain play the way they do, we will sit back and admire. It is a footballers’ hub, they have a number of quality players compared to other nations,” he said, touching upon the similarity in body structure between Mizos challenging the big guns in Indian football and the La Roja. “Physically we are small, so the aerial game does not suit us. Our boys are skilful but stand no chance against the high balls. We focus on keeping the ball close to the ground as much as possible and like the way Barcelona plays.”
The affinity for football superpowers among Mizos hooked to World Cup action extends to Germany and England as well. Religion comes into play here. “We had missionaries coming over from there to work with locals. We are Christians, hence the emotional attachment,” reasoned Vanlalmawia, in Mumbai along with the entire Mizoram squad for a series of events arranged by Freight Express International Cargo to felicitate the Santosh Trophy winner.  He was bemused about the reasons for England’s below-par World Cup showing so far. “Each time there is hype around England when they qualify. In reality, they haven’t won the title for a long time. The English Premier League supplies quality players; don’t know why they stumble.”
Germany is respected universally for being able to handle a nation’s expectations, so do Bundesliga clubs for handling pressure in international competitions. Mizoram got a taste of German power and efficiency when Hoffenheim 1899 came calling. “We lost to them 3—0. They are big players, our boys barely came up to their shoulder,” the Mizo official laughed, remembering the hammering in the match at Aizwal against the squad which clinched the Santosh Trophy.
Hoffenheim were on a promotional tour in the Asian sub-continent, aimed at getting more followers for the Bundesliga. The German club made a stopover in Aizwal after being told about the craze for football among the locals. The Mizoram Premier League (MPL), launched two years ago, is played in front of packed stadiums. FIFA established a Grassroots Development programme in the north-eastern State and Mizoram Football Association’s execution of the project resulted in the AIFF naming Mizoram as the ‘best grass-root development programme’ last year.
The following for the sport is assured now that a structure is in place for State administrators to harness the talent. The Santosh Trophy victory this season is Mizoram’s first breakthrough at the senior level. The perks for emerging as India’s number one football State side are many. Mizoram is the first inter-State champion to experience a red-carpet rolled out for Santosh Trophy champion squad by FEI founder Pratap Nair. The package included two-way flight for the full squad, five-star stay during the Mumbai trip and Rs. 5 lakh cheque handed over at a special function. Cine star and football enthusiast John Abraham joined in the applause for Mizos at the event attended by Mumbai’s corporate heads and football administrators.  
The footballing high for the north-east side, captained by Zico Zorensanga, came during and after an exhibition match under floodlights at the Cooperage artificial turf and hosted by WIFA. Beto, a well-known Brazilian pro in the I-League, turned out for WIFA XI. The Mizo players later got to meet with Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United star Jose Barreto, the most famous Brazilian in Indian football. The visitors took pictures with Barreto at a celebratory dinner. Beto tormented the defence on the turf, and Barreto bowled over young Mizos with his humility.
WIFA XI, led by India playmaker Steven Dias, won 2-0. Mizoram stuck to their ground-passing game, attempting in vain to break down WIFA defence, marshaled by goalkeeper Harshad Meher.  “We felt nice and happy,” reacted Vanlalmawia, about the Mumbai experience. The players were delighted. “The Santosh Trophy win proves that we have arrived in Indian football. Now more Mizos will be seen in the I-League and the Indian Super League,” he said, pointing out the importance of MPL in the state’s success in the senior ranks. “The players for Santosh Trophy were chosen after assessing form and fitness in the MPL.”
He is positive about the home-grown tournament attracting more sponsors, fans and even foreign players in future. “Cricket is popular in India, football is the choice of people in Mizoram,” quipped the manager. Mumbai is a cricket-crazy city and hosted the cricket World Cup, but applause for visitors after the exhibition tie at Cooperage, followed by applause from corporate heads and the celebrity guest at FEI felicitation a day later proves that Mizos with a special feel for the game command respect.
READ MORE - Mizos to root for Spain, respect Germany

Monday, June 16, 2014

Two-day Bru repatriation begins tomorrow

Aizawl: The sixth phase of Bru repatriation will begin tomorrow and preparations are in full swing to receive the Bru families who are willingly returning to Mizoram from six relief camps in Tripura.

Around 459 Bru families were expected to return during the two-day repatriation and would be resettled in different villages where they had resided earlier before migrating to Tripura, Joint Secretary for Home Lalbihazama said.

Meanwhile, four leaders of the Mizo Students Federation today left here for two facilitation centres bordering Tripura to conduct verification of repatriated Bru families.

The students' leaders would be camping at the Zomuantlang and Kanhmun facilitation centres where the Bru families from the Tripura relief camps would be first arriving, Federation President Lalhmachhuana said.

The Brus had left Mizoram en masse in the later part of 1997 ad 2009 due to communal tension.
READ MORE - Two-day Bru repatriation begins tomorrow

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Salvation Army splits, new church formed

After a spell of discord for months, The Salvation Army's Eastern Territory today formally split and a new church called the Salvation Army Church was formed.

H Lianzela, leader of the Advisory Council of Salvation Army Laymen (ACSAL) told PTI the special conference of the Territorial ACSAL at the Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib, decided to end the efforts to reform the Salvation Army from inside.

"The two-day special conference decided to form a new church which would have its headquarters at Aizawl," Lianzela said, adding a committee was formed to deliberate on the future course of action.

He claimed the split would affect Mizoram and Manipur while a large number of members left the Salvation Army in Kolasib to join the new church.

Internal bickering in the Salvation Army could not be quenched even by the visit of General Andre Cox, head of the international Salvation Army, earlier this year.

READ MORE - Salvation Army splits, new church formed

Tripura militants kidnap three traders, driver in Mizoram

Agartala: Three Tripura traders and their driver were kidnapped by tribal guerrillas from Mizoram, police said here Sunday.

"Five businessmen from northern Tripura went to adjoining western Mizoram Saturday in connection with their trade. Armed militants waylaid their vehicle and kidnapped three traders and the driver of the car," a Tripura police spokesman told reporters.

Two traders managed to escape when the members of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) stopped the vehicle in western Mizoram's Faileng village, 20 km away from the Tripura-Mizoram border.

Tripura Police have asked their Mizoram counterparts to rescue the hostages. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also been alerted to nab the militants if they tried to cross the India-Bangladesh border.

The NLFT militants in separate incidents had abducted three Tripura businessmen and a telecommunication professional from the same area in Mizoram last year. However, the captives were freed after a few months for ransom money demanded from their rebels.

After the erection of fencing and strengthening the security along the India-Bangladesh boundary with Tripura, the NLFT extremists use Mizoram to cross the border.

The NLFT guerrillas, setting their base in Bangladesh, have been kidnapping people in Tripura and Mizoram to collect ransom.

Mizoram has unfenced and porous international border of 404 km with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh.

Tripura also shares 856-km-long border with Bangladesh and some parts of the border areas are still unfenced.
READ MORE - Tripura militants kidnap three traders, driver in Mizoram

Thursday, June 12, 2014

All Health Societies in Mizoram now under Mizoram Health Society

Aizawl, Jun 13 : In implementation of a new system formulated by the Central government, Mizoram Health Society (MHS) has been set up to head all the Health Societies in the State.

This was said at the 3rd and the last meeting of Mizoram State Cancer Control Society (MSCCS) which also comes to an end following the implementation of the new system.

As Mizoram Health Society (MHS) will be the head of all the Health Societies, from now on, all the funds from central government will not come directly to Mizoram State Cancer Control Society but through MHS.

The meeting of Mizoram State Cancer Control Society on Wednesday decided to close down the society.

Mention was made in the meeting that Central Government has allocated fund for upgrading the present Regional Cancer Centre to State cancer institute.

It may be noted here that the Mizoram State Cancer Institute (MSCI) at Zemabawk is now recognized by the Central government as Regional Cancer Centre.

The Regional Cancer Centre needs to have at least 100 beds in order to be upgraded to State cancer institute, for which the Central Government has allocated Rs 45 crore of which 10% will be shared by Mizoram Government.

MSCI leaders are entrusted to take vigorous steps for the same.

The Mizoram State Cancer Control Society (MSCCS) meeting Wednesday under the leadership of its Chairman Lal Thanzara, Health Minister was held at Chief Minister's Office Conference Hall and was also attended by Mizoram Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker R.Lalrinawma.The Meeting reviewed the various initiatives of the society and its expenditure during the last 3 years- from 2011 to 2014 .

Mention may be made that cancer awareness and early detection programme had been held in villages and special training had been given to doctors and nurses.

Besides, public awareness programmes were also organised through AIR and DDK.

World Cancer Day had also been observed every year on February 4 .

Mention may also be made that plan is being made to implement the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in the current 12th Five Year Plan.

The Central Government started the programme since the 11th Five Year Plan.
READ MORE - All Health Societies in Mizoram now under Mizoram Health Society

Patricide in Mizoram

ZODIN SANGA
Aizawl, June 12: A man killed his 83-year-old ailing father in Mizoram’s Champhai district last night by smashing his head and cutting his throat with a saw. Locals said he appeared to be mentally troubled.
Police said Laltluangkima, 35, also known as Mangmanga, lived with his father, sister, brother-in-law and their three kids in his father’s house at Khawzawl Vengthar in east Mizoram.
Around 11.45pm when his father, Lianhenga, with whom he was sharing a bed, was sleeping, Mangmanga attacked him with sharp objects, including a saw.
Police sources said preliminary investigations suggested that the man killed his father by smashing his head against the wooden frame of their bed and then tortured his body.
There were multiple injuries on the body and the throat was apparently cut with a saw.
Mangmanga’s brother-in-law was away when the incident took place. When he started attacking his father, his sister and two of the kids fled leaving a four-year-old girl on the bed, sources in the village said.
“After killing his father, the man went looking for his sister and her kids but did not find them. He fortunately failed to notice the girl who was hiding under a blanket,” a neighbour said over phone.
Sources said the four-year-old girl also heard the sound of a saw cutting the throat of her grandfather.
The police are yet to recover the murder weapon. All Mangmanga told the police was that they would “never find it”, the sources said.
The accused, holding a knife, also threatened to kill his neighbours who immediately ran to their houses. However, they soon managed to overpower him, tied him up and handed him over to Khawzawl police.
“Till this morning, when I visited him in the police lock-up, Mangmanga appeared not to be himself. He looked mentally troubled,” a local leader of Young Mizo Association told The Telegraph over phone.
He said Mangmanga was a heavy drinker but did not have a history of violence. Quoting family sources, he said the accused had not drunk for the three-four days and was taking good care of his ailing father and even slept with him on the same bed.
READ MORE - Patricide in Mizoram

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Green Mizoram Day observed

Green Mizoram Day was observed

across the state today.

The Day was inaugurated by the state Environment and Forests Minister Lalrinmawia Ralte by planting a tree sapling at the Central Agriculture University Auditorium inside the College of Veterinary Sciences in Selesih village near Aizawl this morning.

Ralte, who is also the co-chairman of the State Level Committee on Green Mizoram said that planting and conservation of trees and Bamboos are not only for making the state a better place but also for survival of the future generation.

Officials said that more than 2.6 lakh saplings have been planted in different places during the Green Mizoram Days and the survival rate was not bad.

Mizoram started observing Green day during an appointed day in June since 1999.
READ MORE - Green Mizoram Day observed

Suspected insurgent arrested by Mizoram police

Mizoram police arrested a suspected Assam insurgent in the Mizoram-Assam border area last night and detained him at the Kolasib Police Station.

Lalbiakmawia, Officer-in-Charge of the Kolasib Police Station said today that Romonjoy (22) of the United Democratic Liberation Front of Barak Valley (UDLFBV)was arrested for his illegal activities in the border areas.

The UDLFBV cadres were indulging in extortion and abduction for ransom, mainly in the Mizoram border areas with Assam, police said.
READ MORE - Suspected insurgent arrested by Mizoram police

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Mizoram CM appeals to DoNER ministry to clear projects

Aizawl, Jun 11 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today appealed to Union Minister for DoNER Gen (retd) V K Singh that the DoNER Ministry clear all the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) projects in the northeast, an official statement said.

Lal Thanhawla, who met Singh in Delhi, said that the concerned ministries used to delay approval of the projects resulting in the delay in implementation of projects under the NLCPR.
READ MORE - Mizoram CM appeals to DoNER ministry to clear projects

50 Mizo girls send off to Kolkata for Skill Development Training

Aizawl, Jun 11 : In pursuance to a Central government scheme known as Skill Development Initiative (SDI) initiated by Ministry of Labour & Employment, at least 50 Mizo girls were sent off under the said scheme to Emporium Training & Consultancy (ET&C) Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata to undergo training in skill development.

The send off ceremony was yesterday held here at Horticulture Conference Hall-with presence august of LE&IT Director Rotluanga after which T.Sangkunga, the Chairman of Mizoram Youth Commission (MYC) had flagged off 50 young and talented Mizo girls who had been selected for skill training from the recent Skill Fest held in the capital by MYC in collaboration with Labour, Employment & Industrial Training Department.

Exhorting the girls T.Sangkunga said they should be diligent and readily accept difficulties and hardships during training.

And if the girls work with firm determination, there is a guarantee that they would get reliable job in the future, he added.

.TSangkunga further in encouragement said to the girls that they should set an example for others as far as study and character are concern.

The future of new batches will surely depend on how the present 50 Mizo girls who had been chosen for skill development training behave.

The proposed training for girls will take 4 months and in the months of June this year MYC is expecting to send around 40 boys from the state for Skill development training.

The trainees (students) would be given a sum of Rs.5000 as conveyance allowance.

Besides giving Rs 300 for daily expense, they would also be provided with free boarding and lodging during training.

Meanwhile, Anirban Mukherjee, Operations Manager of Emporium Training & Consultancy (ET&C) Pvt.

Ltd also guaranteed the security and safety of the Mizo students at training campus.
READ MORE - 50 Mizo girls send off to Kolkata for Skill Development Training

Monday, June 9, 2014

Cong, MNF candidates file nominations for Mizoram RS seat

Aizawl, Jun 10 : Candidates of Congress and MNF filed nomination papers today to contest the election to the lone Mizoram Rajya Sabha seat, state Assembly secretary and Returning Officer for the polls Ngurthanzuala said.

Ngurthanzuala said Ronald Sapa Tlau of the ruling Congress and L Ramkinlova of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) filed papers on the last day for filing nominations today for the election to be held on June 19.

The term of the sitting Rajya Sabha member Lalhming Liana of the MNF, who was elected for two consecutive terms, ends on July 18.

The ruling Congress has 34 legislators in the 40-member state Assembly, while the MNF has five legislators and its junior partner the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) has one member.
READ MORE - Cong, MNF candidates file nominations for Mizoram RS seat

Lalduhthlana Ralte concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Palau

Lalduhthlana Ralte, presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of the Philippines, has been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Palau, with residence in Manila (Philippines).
READ MORE - Lalduhthlana Ralte concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Palau

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Sixth phase of repatriation of Brus to begin on June 17

Aizawl, Jun 9 : The proposed sixth phase of repatriation of Brus lodged in six relief camps in Tripura is scheduled to begin from June 17, a senior Mizoram official today said.

The decision was taken after discussions were held between a team of Mizo officials and North Tripura DM Sandeep Rathod and other officials at Dharmanagar in Tripura on Friday, Lalbiakzama, Joint Secretary to Mizoram Home Department, said.
READ MORE - Sixth phase of repatriation of Brus to begin on June 17

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Barretto, Beto to turn out for WIFA XI in exhibition match against Mizoram

MUMBAI: The Western Indian Football Association will be hosting an exhibition match between the the Santosh Trophy Championship Winners Mizoram and WIFA XI.under floodlights, at the Cooperage  Ground on 5th June 2014 at 6 p.m.

The WIFA XI is a mix of the Maharashtra Santosh Trophy squad that made it to the semi-finals this year and internationals Steven Dias and Raju Gaikwad. Steven Dias will lead the charge for WIFA XI. The coach for the team is Irenio Vaz. Augusto D’Silva and Salim Pathan will be his assistants.

Meanwhile, the WIFA XI will be boosted by the presence of professional footballers, Jose Ramirez Barretto and Roberto ‘Beto’ Mendes da Silva. Freight Express International Cargo (FEI), along with WIFA, will also be felicitating the Mizoram team on June 6 at the ICE awards ceremony at Bandra.

FEI has borne all the expenses for flying down the Mizoram team and hosting them at The Leela.

WIFA XI: Jose Ramirez Barretto and Roberto ‘Beto’ Mendes da Silva, Rohel Shaikh, Floyd Dharmai, Abhishek Ambekar, Mohd. Shabaz Pathan, Linekar Machado, Mohammed Shafique, Paresh Shivalkar, Raju Gaikwad, Dane Pereira, Steven Dias (C), Loukik Jadhav, Praneel Mendon, Kunal Sawant (GK), Somi PT, Ruben D’Souza, Rahul Bheke, Harshad Meher (GK), Deepak Iramalu, Nihal Chandran and Sujit Pandey.
READ MORE - Barretto, Beto to turn out for WIFA XI in exhibition match against Mizoram

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Mizoram govt condoles Munde’s death

Aizawl, Mizoram government today condoled the death of Union Minister for Rural Development Gopinath Munde in a car accident in Delhi.     It declared a state mourning today.     An official statement said that the national flags in government offices would be flown in half mast and no official entertainment programme would be organised during the day.
READ MORE - Mizoram govt condoles Munde’s death

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

World War-era hospital in Mizoram stands test of time

Village council organises grand centenary celebrations of heritage building; residents recall attacks
Aizawl, June 3: A government hospital in North Vanlaiphai, a village in eastern Mizoram near the Myanmar border, has withstood the test of time, including Japanese air strikes during World War II.
Legend has it that the heritage hospital is also a silent witness to an attempt on the life of Lt Gen. Sir William Slim, a British officer commanding Burma Corps.
As the hospital celebrated its 100th birthday today, the memories of the upheaval it had gone through came flooding back to a few surviving witnesses.
“There was a thunderous sound in the sky and six Japanese jet fighters appeared from nowhere. Heavy objects fell from the sky and exploded,” an 87-year-old villager recollected. The date was March 28, 1944.
Though the entire village suffered from the Japanese aerial attack, the hospital and its adjacent quarters bore the heaviest brunt, according to R.L. Buatsaiha, 66-year-old retired headmaster of a government school in the village, who interviewed witnessed and documented the incident that failed to figure in history books.
Buatsaiha interviewed a number of people, most of whom have now passed away.
“Six bombs were dropped, which meant that each jet fighter dropped a bomb each. The fighter aircraft also swept the village with machine guns,” Buatsaiha says.
“Smoke billowed, darkening the sky. The villagers ran helter-skelter while many prayed to God for help,” he adds.
Miraculously, except for a few persons who suffered injuries and a pig that died, not a single person died in the attack despite the fact that there were five patients on hospital beds at the time of the attack, he said.
The hospital’s quarters were damaged beyond repair. Luckily, the doctor was on a holiday at that time, otherwise, he would surely have died, says Buatsaiha.
Till recently, the ground near the hospital had craters following the bombings. It was later discovered that the hospital bore no Red Cross mark. “But, the craters have now been filled by the owners of the land. The bullet holes in the hospital and the doctor’s quarters are the only remaining testimony to the forgotten attack during World War II,” Buatsaiha says.
Even though no one knew the motive behind the Japanese surprise attacks, it was believed that Lt Gen. Slim was the target. But no one knew if the British army officer was actually in the village at the time. All that the villagers knew was that a British army official was staying at the inspection bungalow near the village.
“Located near the Indo-Myanmar border, North Vanlaiphai was a strategic place for the British army. It had an inspection bungalow and British soldiers occasionally camped in the village. This was enough reason for the advancing Japanese to attack,” he says.
North Vanlaiphai branch of the Young Mizo Association has preserved the craters and bullet marks. Even though the hospital, commissioned in 1913, had completed 100 years last year, the celebration was postponed because of the Assembly elections.
It is one of the few surviving buildings built by the British and it has been declared a heritage building by the Mizoram government.
The grand centenary celebration, organised by the village council of North Vanlaiphai today, was graced by chief minister Lal Thanhawla. He said it was a matter of great pride that the centenary of a British-era hospital was being celebrated and congratulated the people of the village. Health minister Lal Thanzara, who attended the function as chief guest, promised that the hospital would be upgraded with modern technology without infringing on its heritage value.
READ MORE - World War-era hospital in Mizoram stands test of time

WIFA to play exhibition match against Mizoram

The Western Indian Football Association would be hosting an exhibition match between the Santosh Trophy National Championship winners Mizoram and WIFA XI under floodlights at the refurbished Cooperage ground here on on June 5.

WIFA XI is a mix of the Maharashtra Santosh Trophy squad that made it to the semi-finals this year, and includes Indian internationals Steven Dias and Raju Gaikwad, among others, and is to be led by Steven Dias, a release said today.

Freight Express International Cargo (FEI), along with WIFA, will also be felicitating the Mizoram team on June 6 at the ICE Awards Ceremony at Bandra.
READ MORE - WIFA to play exhibition match against Mizoram

Reliance ready to roll out its 4G service in Mizoram

Aizawl, Jun 4 : Getting ready for installation of 4G Service in Mizoram, officials of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.

today called on Mizoram Government officials, a state official source here said.

The Company representatives met Home Minister R.Lalzirliana, Mizoram State Planning Board Vice Chairman H.Liansailova and State Planning Board Member & Secretary, Pu P.L.Thanga.

The representatives of Reliance Company headed by Tarun Jhunjhunwala, Business Head & State Mentor (East India) brought out before the Mizoram government leaders, the benefits for Mizoram if 4G Service is installed.

Of the benefits to be gained by Mizoram, the Reliance Company mentioned: Telemedicine via internet that would enable medical treatment for far-flung areas, embellishment of AR Ground in Aizawl, and provision of CCTV for important areas.

The Company also offered free bandwidth for 3 years.

On the part of the Mizoram Government, Home Minister R.Lalzirliana said that if Telemedicine is used, it would be of great help for rural villages.

Also, 4G service would make communication easier and expedite government initiatives.

From the Company, Tarun Jhunjhunwala mentioned in the meeting that they have completed survey and that, subject to the government's approval, they are ready to start the work from August 15 .
READ MORE - Reliance ready to roll out its 4G service in Mizoram

Monday, June 2, 2014

Repatriation of Tribal refugees from Tripura to start next week

Aizawl/Agartala, June 3 : The much-awaited repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram is likely to start next week, an official in Aizawl said Monday.

Over 36,000 Reang tribals are sheltered in seven camps in northern Tripura for almost 17 years.

They fled their villages in western Mizoram following an ethnic conflict with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official in October 1997.

"Mizoram state-level core committee on refugee repatriation met in Aizawl last week and decided to start the repatriation next week. State chief secretary L. Tochhawng asked the home department and district officials to expedite the repatriation programme," an official of the Mizoram home department told reporters in Aizawl.

He said the central government has sanctioned Rs.7.87 crore as financial assistance for the repatriated refugees.

"An adequate amount of foodgrains has been stored to provide free rations to the repatriated tribal refugees for one year," the official added.

An official of the north Tripura district administration said in Agartala that the authorities would arrange vehicles and provide security to the home-bound tribals.

The official said refugee leaders told the Supreme Court's Special Commissioner Harsh Mander that if the Mizoram government ensures their security and livelihood, they have no problem in returning to their villages.

The Tripura official said the refugee leaders had earlier accused the Mizoram government of failing to ensure their security and provide livelihood.

Mander, accompanied by North Tripura District Magistrate Sandeep R. Rathod and Kanchanpur Sub-divisional Magistrate Nantu Ranjan Das, last month visited the tribal refugee camps to oversee their relief and rehabilitation.

The Reang tribals - locally known as "Bru" - insist on a written agreement with the Mizoram government, assuring them security and economic settlement in their villages.

The Mizoram government recently undertook a fresh initiative to ensure the safe return of the refugees.

Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana held a meeting with senior officials in Aizawl last month and took the decision to facilitate the return of the refugees.

The Election Commission (EC) in April made arrangements for the refugees in six of the seven Tripura relief camps to cast their votes for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram through postal ballots.

The poll panel decision aggrieved six NGOs and students' groups and they called for a three-day shutdown and a poll boycott in Mizoram.

The EC then deferred the April 9 polls in Mizoram to April 11 due to the stir.

Of the refugees, 11,500 were on electoral rolls and 71 percent of them voted through postal ballots.

Despite the Tripura government's repeated requests, an earlier initiative of the union home ministry and the Mizoram government to repatriate the refugees to their villages failed.

Only about 5,000 refugees returned to their homes in the past three-and-half years following continued persuasion by officials of Mizoram, Tripura and the union home ministry. The repatriation process was subsequently stopped.
READ MORE - Repatriation of Tribal refugees from Tripura to start next week

Mizoram RS election on June 19

The tenure of the sitting Rajya Sabha member Lalhming Liana of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) ends on July 18

Aizawl: Election to the lone Mizoram Rajya Sabha seat would be held on June 19, state assembly secretariat officials today said.

The tenure of the sitting Rajya Sabha member Lalhming Liana of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) ends on July 18.

Liana was first elected in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008 during the successive MNF governments.

Notification issued by the Election Commission said the last date of filing nominations is June nine, scrutiny would be conducted on June 10 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is June 12.

The Commission appointed Assembly Secretary Ngurthanzuala and additional secretary S R Zokhuma as returning officer and assistant returning officer respectively for the election.
READ MORE - Mizoram RS election on June 19

Rescued children promised better life-style

HAILAKANDI, Jun 3 : Five children of the Northeast were rescued from Manav Kalyan Bridhashram Ebong Yogashram in Haryana’s Jind district and handed over to the District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs) of Hailakandi, Unakuti of Tripura and Kolashib of Mizoram on Monday.

The CDPOs later handed over the children to their relatives in presence of the members of the District Child Welfare Committee and WODICHEE, an NGO.

The DCPO of Hailakandi, Parinita Hazarika informed that all the children were rescued by a team of government officials of Haryana from the Yogashram. The children have been identified as Pradip Reang (11) of Unakuti district of Tripura, Ravi Reang (11) of Kolashib district of Mizoram, Dharmendra Reang (11), Kusha Reang (15) and Hiren Reang (10) of Hailakandi district of Assam. Dharmendra, Kusha and Hiren are the residents of Riflemarra village of Assam-Mizoram bordering area of Hailakandi district.

All these children stayed at the hostel of WODICHEE after reaching Hailakandi. These children were taken to Haryana by a tout promising better education and life-style. The escorting officials from Haryana informed that the ashram didn’t follow the rules and regulations, and was also not registered.

Hazarika said that the children have been handed over to the guardians temporarily, but they may be taken away and sent to the Children Home of Silchar run by WODICHEE if they fail to nurture them properly, she added. Pritikona Paul, a member of the Child Welfare Committee of Hailakandi said, “We’re much concerned about the future of these kind of children and would constantly monitor them through the NGO. Kusha Reang, one of the rescued children said that he wants to study to become a teacher.

Hazarika further informed that one Iqbal Laskar was also rescued last year from the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Iqbal is a resident of Bilaipur and was also taken to Rajasthan promising better life and education. His surname was also changed as Bharati from Laskar, she added.
READ MORE - Rescued children promised better life-style