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.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
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 | ||
| ZODIN SANGA | ||
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.
|
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
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.
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
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 .
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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