iMizoram : Blog Title the same as above

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

High-level functionary of political party’s youth wing arrested in Rs 20 lakh extortion bid

The Mizoram Police have arrested a high-ranking political party worker and his accomplice for threatening an Aizawl resident to pay Rs 20 lakhs. The Zoram Nationalist Party has however denied the party’s involvement.

Jacob Lianhuapa (40), currently chief organizer of the ZNP’s youth wing, and Vanlalliana (20), who has been living with Jacob for sometime, were arrested by investigators of the CID (Special Branch) late on Monday night.

Investigators said Jacob first called up S T Khama, a former ponzi scheme collector and one-time independent MLA candidate, on his cellphone in mid-October and asked him to pay their “outfit” Rs 20 lakhs.

Jacob did not identify himself or mention what the “outfit” was, but gave S T Khama a deadline of October 26 to make the payment and said “we will do what needs to be done” if he did not.

Khama informed the police, and the CID (SB) was roped in to investigate. In the meantime, Khama negotiated with Jacob saying he would pay them Rs 3 lakhs first, and an Aizawl hotel was designated a drop-off point.

“The money was delivered on Sunday to the hotel, but the Jacob not pick it up immediately. On Monday he paid a coolie to collect the money and asked him to leave it with an elderly hawker. His accomplice Vanlalliana then picked it up from the hawker in the evening,” said a CID (SB) official.

Plainclothes policemen from the unit immediately tracked him on foot for several hours and eventually arrested Jacob and Vanlalliana on Monday night on a side alley in Aizawl’s Chanmari neighbourhood.

“We have no information that Jacob is connected to a militant group so it is likely he acted for his own benefit. It is unclear if he was doing this as part of party activity,”the investigator said.

Lalmuanpuia Punte, ZNP youth president, denied knowledge of the incident and said, “The ZNP did not in any way ask these men to carry out these activities.”

The Zoram Nationalist party immediately stripped Jacob Lianhuapa of his position as Chief Organizer of the party’s youth wing on Tuesday afternoon, when news of his arrest spread.

Sandalwood seized in Mizoram

Aizawl: Customs officials seized 5,281 kilos of red sandalwood in Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai town on Sunday, Customs officials Tuesday said.

The officials said that the seized red sandalwood is worth around Rs 1.05 crore in the local market.

Challiana (30) a resident of Vengthlang locality in Champhai was arrested in this connection and he was accused of concealing the seized red sandalwood in his granary.

The Customs officials kept the seized red sandalwood in the custody of the Assam Rifles in Champhai.

Mizo govt to take strict action against extortionists

Aizawl: Mizoram government will take stringent action against militants involved in extortion, state Home Minister R Lalzirliana Tuesday said.

Lalzirliana said some militants active in the Mizoram-Manipur-Assam border areas were sending letters demanding money from government employees posted in those areas.

He appealed to government employees not to succumb to the pressures from "unwanted elements" and warned that those indulging in the illegal activity would be punished.

Meanwhile, Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention (Democrats) has said the outfit was not involved in the extortion racket in the border areas.

A statement issued by the Hmar group said the extortionists were using its name to tarnish the image of the outfit.

HPC(D) has never harassed government employees working for the development of the Hmar people, the statement claimed, adding that "the criminals belonged to another group, but is using the name of HPC(D)."

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Two persons abducted in Mizoram

Two non-tribals hailing from Baghabazar village in Assam's Cachar district have been abducted by unidentified people, police said today.

Prabot Das and his friend Morrudin Laskar were abducted by people who had hired a van belonging to Das from Baghabazar village on Monday, SDPO of Vairengte Sub-Division Remlalliana Hnamte said.

The van was found near Mizoram-Assam border village of Bilkhawthlir and the abductors called the family members of Das on Tuesday and informed them that they had kidnapped Das and Laskar, he said.

A police party led by Hnamte launched a massive combing operation in the area.

The police were yet to ascertain whether the abductors were militants or goons operating in the Mizoram-Assam border areas.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Infant Mortality Rate in Mizoram '36' in past six months

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Mizoram during the past six months (April to September) was 36 and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) 121, health department officials said today.

There were 13 maternal deaths and 387 infant deaths (below one year) during the period, State Reproductive Child Health Programme Officer Dr R Lalthanga said.

The highest number of infant deaths were reported from the southern district of Saiha and the lowest number was from Mamit district, he said.

The IMR during the last fiscal in the state was 35 and MMR 76.

According to the health department record, 10,857 babies were born during April and September.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

‘Peter Biaksangzuala, look how many have come to see you off’

Peter’s No.21 jersey will be retired by his club (Source: FACEBOOK/MIZORAM PREMIER LEAGUE)

The death of a 23-year-old Mizo footballer from spinal-cord injuries he sustained during a goal-celebrating somersault has found a mention in football-centric online portals. Bloggers also paid tribute to Peter Biaksangzuala and a local news channel ran a special programme in his memory during prime-time on Monday evening.

Biaksangzuala, 23, a native of the eastern town of Khawzawl, played in the midfield position for the Mizoram Premier League club Bethlehem Vengthlang (BVT) FC, an Aizawl-based club. A player who could handle both defensive and midfield roles due to his experience on the semi-professional level, Peter earlier played for another MPL club, Kulikawn FC, and in between also signed with then reigning champions Dinthar FC. He moved briefly to a Shillong team before entering the MPL again, joining BVT this season.

Peter’s side had been down by a goal for the first 62 minutes in last Tuesday’s match against Chanmari West FC, a game that was important for the club currently third in the league table. The defensive midfielder then scored an equalizer, which was coincidentally also his first goal in the MPL.

As he celebrated with a series of somersaults, Peter fell and landed on his neck. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. His team eventually lost the match 3-2. Peter was admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital, where attempts to repair his spinal cord were unsuccessful. He was wheeled into the ICU on Friday night and put on a ventilator. He passed away at 7am on Sunday. Perhaps as a parting gift, he had donated his eyes.

Later that day, Indian Super League clubs North-East United and Goa also paid tribute to Peter by observing a few moments of silence before the match in Guwahati. MPL commentator Lalthanzama Vanchhawng remembers Peter fondly, and talks about a Christian youth event earlier this year at Peter’s hometown where the two chatted at length about his dreams of establishing a professional football career.

“He lived in a rented house in the Aizawl Venglai neighbourhood, and people I know from there have always spoken of him with fondness. He was a religious boy who also took part in a lot of community service,” Vanchhawng said. “Before he was wheeled into the ICU last week, he told his club officials not to worry, that he was going to rest in God’s arms.”

Final entry
Thousands attended a farewell ceremony held in the community hall on Sunday, and there was uncontrolled sobbing when the Pastor read out the last entry in his diary, which quotes from the Corinthians chapter of the Bible.

In a tearful farewell issued on the club’s Facebook page, BVT FC said in a statement, “Peter, look how many have come to see you off. The whole neighbourhood is grieving. On the roadside people are crying your name out, calling to you through tears but you do not answer. You wanted to spend your life on the football field, now you will spend eternity in heaven. Sing for us a victory song from there. Goodnight Peter.”

Monday, October 20, 2014

Mizo girl’s body arrives in Aizawl

Aizawl: The body of Juliet Zonunmawi, the Mizo girl who died in her Munirka apartment in Delhi on Thursday night, was brought to Mizoram on Sunday. She was laid to rest in a local cemetery in Aizawl's Kulikawn locality on the same day.

An autopsy was performed on Zonunmawi's body at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital and a farewell function was held at the Mizoram House in Delhi before it was flown to Aizawl.

The local council of Kulikawn urged Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla to take note of the matter and ensure that the culprits are booked soon.

A number of organizations in Mizoram condemned the brutal murder. They also demanded an end to racial discrimination against people from the northeast in other parts of the country

Soccer player dies after goal celebration goes wrong

Bethlehem Vengthlang FC midfielder Peter Biaksangzuala died on Sunday at a hospital in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram after the incident in Tuesday’s match in the third tier Mizoram Premier League (MPL). (laurine kat/YouTube)

By AMLAN CHAKRABORTY

A 23-year-old Indian footballer has died from severe spinal cord damage after attempting to celebrate a goal with a somersault, an official told Reuters on Monday.
Bethlehem Vengthlang FC midfielder Peter Biaksangzuala died on Sunday at a hospital in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram after the incident in Tuesday’s match in the third tier Mizoram Premier League (MPL).
“We are shocked by the case. We at the Mizoram Football Association did all we could but could not save him,” MFA secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar told Reuters by telephone.
After scoring the equalizer against Chanmari West FC, a flipping Biaksangzuala landed awkwardly and was lying unconscious as his team mates surrounded him and gestured for help.
“We considered the option to fly him to Delhi but his condition was pretty bad. He was mostly unconscious, occasionally spelling out a few words,” Hmar said.
Bethlehem has decided to retire the number 21 jersey as a tribute to Biaksangzuala while Hmar said MFA would organize a match in his memory.
FIFA said that any additional measures curbing goal celebrations would have to be approved by soccer’s rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
“This is a tragedy and we are very concerned about this incident,” said FIFA in a statement to Reuters.
“It is the responsibility of IFAB to rule on amendments to the Laws of the Game.”
FIFA added that any national association can propose a change to the rules, and the suggestion must be submitted by Dec. 1 to be considered at IFAB’s next annual general meeting.
The laws of the game currently stipulate automatic yellow cards if a player removes his shirt, covers his face with a mask, makes a provocative gesture or climbs a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal.
The laws also state: “While it is permissible for a player to demonstrate his joy when a goal has been scored, the celebration must not be excessive.
“Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting and referees are instructed to intervene in such cases.
“Referees are expected to act in a preventative manner and to exercise common sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal.”
Last month, a player in Brazil escaped injury when he leapt into a hole as another goal celebration went wrong.
Coritiba forward Joel leapt the advertising hoardings behind the goal, unaware that there was a hole with steps leading down from the pitch to the dressing rooms.
Although he landed in the hole, his fall was softened by a tarpaulin and he was able to continue the match.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Mizoram to buy rice from private companies

AIZAWL, Oct 20 – Mizoram Government is planning to purchase rice from private companies and selected contractors to stem its shortage, State Food and Civil Supplies Minister John Rotluangliana said today.

The proposed purchase of rice is aimed at preventing shortage of rice in view of the ‘mega block’ caused by the ongoing gauge conversion work in the Lumding-Badarpur railway sector in Assam, Rotluangliana told reporters here.

The contractors appointed by the State Government would procure rice from any source including neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh, he said.

Delhi Police's Aizawl in Manipur howler, then correction

New Delhi : Delhi Police were left red-faced Friday after issuing a press release over the murder of a woman in which it was mentioned that she hailed from Aizawl and said the town was part of Manipur.

However, 20 minutes later, the police rectified its mistake and issued a fresh press release stating that Aizawl was in Mizoram, not Manipur.

In its first release, the police said: "We got information at about 11 p.m. yesterday from the Safdarjung Hospital that a woman had been brought dead. She has been identified as Juliet, 27, resident of Aizawl, Manipur. She worked in a company in Gurgaon."

Delhi Police then issued a new release: "Kripya Manipur ki Jagah Mizoram padha jaye (read it as Mizoram in place of Manipur)."

Juliet Zonunmawi, a call centre employee was murdered in her Munirka area home of south Delhi Thursday late night. Her body was taken to the Safdurjung Hospital by her male friend who is believed to be her live-in partner.

Footballer dies from injury sustained during goal celebrations

The Mizoram Premier League footballer who injured his spinal cord during a celebratory somersault after scoring a match equalizer earlier this week passed away in a hospital around 7 am Sunday morning.

Peter Biaksangzuala, 23, was a native of the eastern town of Khawzawl and played in the midfield position for the MPL’s Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, an Aizawl club.

Peter’s side had been down by a goal for the first 62 minutes of the match against Chanmari West FC on Tuesday afternoon when the mid-fielder scored an equalizer.

As he celebrated with a series of somersaults, Peter fell backward and landed on his head. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. His team eventually lost the match with a final score of 3-2.

Peter was admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital where attempts to repair his spinal cord showed no apparent success. He was wheeled into the ICU on Friday night and put on a ventilator. He passed away on Sunday morning.

Peter had donated his eyes during the time he spent in the hospital.

UN project on protection of ecosystem

AIZAWL, Oct 20 – Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Friday launched the United Nations Joint Initiative Project on protection of ecosystem.

An MoU between various organisations under UN and Mizoram Government was inked on the occasion and the document was signed by UN Resident Coordinator Lisle Grande and Mizoram chief secretary L Tochhawng, a release said.

The project would emphasise food security, livelihood security, energy and environment security, ecological balance, sustainable livelihood, income generation and sustainable use of bamboo and agriculture produces for protection of ecosystem and market linkage.

5,000 rounds of ammunition seized

AIZAWL, Oct 20 : Police and Assam Rifles personnel have seized 5,000 rounds of smuggled ammunition from the border trade centre at Zokhawthar village in Champhai district of Mizoram.

Police said the ammunition was smuggled from Myanmar by a man identified as Nang Go Tuang (56) who was arrested.

Tuang is a member of the Tahan B gang of Myanmar.

The smuggled bullets which would cost around Rs 12.50 lakh in the local market, were for US-made M-16 and domestically manufactured INSAS rifles, the police said.

The police were suspecting that the ammunition was meant for Chakma insurgents operating in Bangladesh or some North East insurgents operating in neighbouring States.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Arrest warrant against MBDPF president

Court of the Senior Civil Judge in Mizoram-Tripura border Mamit district issued warrant of arrest against Mizoram Bru Displace People's Forum (MBDPF) president A Sawibunga for the third time yesterday.

The police said that the court's order and the warrant of arrest was given to Superintendent of Police of both Mamit district and North Tripura district ordering them to produce the Bru leader in the court on November 13.

Sawibunga was accused of defaming the Mizo people by allegedly informing a reporter of a national paper that Mizo people intimidated and drove out people belonging to Bru community from Mizoram during January, 2014.

Leaders of the Mamit Sub-Headquarters Young Mizo Association (YMA) filed a petition against the Bru leader.

Sawibunga failed to appear before the court despite summons for two times prompting the court to issue warrant of arrest on August 28 and again on September 19.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Mizoram NSS observes Global Hand Washing Day

Mizoram NSS today observed Global Hand Washing Day under Swachha Bharat Sapta in Aizawl when more than a thousand NSS volunteers and 85 programme officers from 30 educational institutions participated.

The NSS volunteers, after reciting pledges for a clean India in general and their respective areas in particular, and divided into two groups swept Aizawl streets from the north and south.

Garbage collected were loaded in two trucks and dumped in the dumping ground near the city

An official statement said that as the Clean India Campaign is a national programme, the state NSS volunteers would continue the cleanliness programme at the institutional level at different orphanages, institutional campuses and their respective adopted villages.

Bodies of two non-tribals found in Mizoram

AIZAWL, Oct 16 – Bodies of two non-tribals, believed to be from Assam were found near Tuikhurhlu hamlet, about 30 km east of here today, police said.

Police said that though the identities of the two deceased persons were yet to be ascertained, they surmised that one was a truck driver and another his helper and both might be from Kamrup district of Assam.

“Both of them, according to initial inquest report, seemed to be killed with sharp weapon and we were waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the cause of death,” a police officer said. Eye-witnesses said that they were killed this morning with a machete or knife.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Man attacked by bear

AIZAWL, Oct 13 – A 50-year-old man was attacked and injured by a bear in a jungle near the Mizoram-Myanmar border in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district, police said.

The man was attacked by the bear inside the thick jungle protected by the local community when he was passing through it on Wednesday last, the police said.

He called up his relatives over phone after the attack and was taken home by volunteers from the village.

He was admitted with multiple wounds, including on his face, to local health centre for treatment, the police added.