Aizawl, September 23 : It has been less than one year that the people of Mizoram went to cast their votes in the state legislative assembly elections but Mizoram went to poll again on Thursday. However, the Thursday’s poll was not to elect their representatives but to know who the most corrupt people in the state are.
The poll was christened as “Corrupt People Poll 2009” was organized by Peoples Right to Information and Development Implementing Society of Mizoram (PRISM). This poll was conducted in the run up to the Anti-Corruption Convention to be held on October 3.
PRISM is an influential watchdog of Mizoram against corruption. The ballot boxes of the Thursday poll were put up in four places in Aizawl where the people went to cast their votes.
These ballot boxes have been sealed and tightly place in the custody of the PRISM supported by other civil society organizations. Prominent citizens of Mizoram are also actively involved in this poll and they are working as observers.
According to the PRISM, result of the poll will be submitted to the state Anti-Corruption Bureau to carry out necessary steps and also that, the anti-corruption watch-dog of the state will decide with the people against those elements found corrupt on the October 3 convention.
However, it is still not clear on what basis the voting was done and to what extent the poll of Thursday can be considered authentic.
Aizawl-bound flight returns due to bad weather
Kolkata, Sep 22 An Indian Airlines flight bound for Aizawal, with 144 passengers on board, returned to the airport here two hours after take off due to bad weather in the north-east region.
The flight IC 211, however, flew to the Mizoram capital in the after noon and touched down Aizawl at 3:30 pm, hours after the scheduled arrival time, airport sources said.
In the morning, the aircraft took off from the N S C Bose International Airport here at 11 am for Aizawl but returned at 1 pm after the air traffic control (ATC) did not give landing permission there due to stormy weather conditions.
The plane made the second take off from here at 2.20 pm again and landed there safely, sources said.
The flight IC 211, however, flew to the Mizoram capital in the after noon and touched down Aizawl at 3:30 pm, hours after the scheduled arrival time, airport sources said.
In the morning, the aircraft took off from the N S C Bose International Airport here at 11 am for Aizawl but returned at 1 pm after the air traffic control (ATC) did not give landing permission there due to stormy weather conditions.
The plane made the second take off from here at 2.20 pm again and landed there safely, sources said.
Taxis, buses off the roads in Aizawl
Aizawl, Sep 15 (PTI) With taxies remaining off the roads here for two days and city buses joining the agitation, normal life was completely disrupted today here.
The cab drivers, under the banner of Zoram Taxi Drivers Association (ZRDA) refused to run their vehicles since yesterday in protest against state government's proposal that they be off the roads for alternate two days in a week to ease traffic snarls.
The city bus owners association also joined the stir today.
The Mizoram government, in a statement however, instructed all public transport operators to work as per its order from September 17 or face action.
The cab drivers, under the banner of Zoram Taxi Drivers Association (ZRDA) refused to run their vehicles since yesterday in protest against state government's proposal that they be off the roads for alternate two days in a week to ease traffic snarls.
The city bus owners association also joined the stir today.
The Mizoram government, in a statement however, instructed all public transport operators to work as per its order from September 17 or face action.
Mizoram taxis on strike, Aizawl the most hit
As a mark of protest against rotation service of Taxis in Aizawl town, Zoram Taxi Drivers Association burnt the stickers in front of Vanapa Hall today. They also put up posters in support of their demand in a number of places within the town area.
The ZTDA also have resolved that no Taxi will be in service on the next Monday.
Talking to our Corr. the ZTDA Action Committee Chairman, Lalnunzawma said, their demand is to work for 6 days in a week to earn their livelihood and they will not compromise with curtailment of their working day by the Government.
He also said that ZTDA members have been instructed not to indulge in any unlawful activity.
Meanwhile the Traffic SP, Mr. Lalbiakzama said, the Government is going ahead with the proposed rotation plying from the next Monday and those Taxis without sticker will be barred from the service.
He also said that the Police will be on high alert to see that the plan works properly.
In the meantime, of about 4000 Taxis in Aizawl city, only 1399 of them have taken the stickers which are to be used for arrangement of the plying schedule.
Our Corr. understands that the rotation plying is expected not only to ease traffic jam but also facilitate detection of Taxis plying in the city without valid document. Meanwhile the Transport Director, Mr. Siamliana said, Buses will be arranged for transportation of the stranded public if necessary and all precautionary measures have been taken in this regard.
Senior Police Officers also had a meeting today and reviewed the arrangement made for maintenance of law and order and problems which may arise during the protest activities. The meeting was chaired by DIG Northern Range, Mr. L. Hrangnawna.
The ZTDA also have resolved that no Taxi will be in service on the next Monday.
Talking to our Corr. the ZTDA Action Committee Chairman, Lalnunzawma said, their demand is to work for 6 days in a week to earn their livelihood and they will not compromise with curtailment of their working day by the Government.
He also said that ZTDA members have been instructed not to indulge in any unlawful activity.
Meanwhile the Traffic SP, Mr. Lalbiakzama said, the Government is going ahead with the proposed rotation plying from the next Monday and those Taxis without sticker will be barred from the service.
He also said that the Police will be on high alert to see that the plan works properly.
In the meantime, of about 4000 Taxis in Aizawl city, only 1399 of them have taken the stickers which are to be used for arrangement of the plying schedule.
Our Corr. understands that the rotation plying is expected not only to ease traffic jam but also facilitate detection of Taxis plying in the city without valid document. Meanwhile the Transport Director, Mr. Siamliana said, Buses will be arranged for transportation of the stranded public if necessary and all precautionary measures have been taken in this regard.
Senior Police Officers also had a meeting today and reviewed the arrangement made for maintenance of law and order and problems which may arise during the protest activities. The meeting was chaired by DIG Northern Range, Mr. L. Hrangnawna.
Mizoram bans sale of drugs not registered with it from Sept 1, industry protests
The industry has taken strong objection to the Mizoram state government's decision to make it mandatory for the drug companies to register each and every drug entering Mizoram from September 1 this year and levying a fee of Rs 50 per product in the name of averting spurious drugs.
While appreciating the state government's concern and consumer sensitivity to spurious drugs, the industry said that the method adopted by the government to stop the spread of spurious drugs is unheard of in the country so far as any unit, big or small, which is licensed under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act has a fundamental right to sell drugs throughout the country. Creation of such barriers for Small and Medium Enterprises (SM
While appreciating the state government's concern and consumer sensitivity to spurious drugs, the industry said that the method adopted by the government to stop the spread of spurious drugs is unheard of in the country so far as any unit, big or small, which is licensed under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act has a fundamental right to sell drugs throughout the country. Creation of such barriers for Small and Medium Enterprises (SM
Mizo House Unanimous on Continuance of ILR
Flashback September 1994
Mizo House Unanimous on Continuance of ILR
The Mizoram Legislative Assembly in an unanimous resolution has stressed the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, popularly called the Inner Line Regulation, should continue to remain in force in Mizoram.
In an emergent one – day session summoned by the Governor at the request of the joint committee of all political parties in the state on August 26, all the 40 legislators expressed concern and dismay that the Centre was stated to be contemplating on revocation of the ILR.
If the Inner Line Regulation was removed, some members argued, people from other parts of India would enter Mizoram in masses and the identity of the Mizos would be swamped in no time.
The Mizos doubtless wanted development but certainly not at the cost of their identity, others said. A former Speaker of the Assembly recalled that when India got independence, there was a high – level meeting between the Mizo National Party and the Centre where it was suggested that if the Mizos felt that their identity was not secure in independent India, they might secede from the Indian Union after ten years.
The resolution while stressing that the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 (V of 1873) as amended by the Bengal Eastern Frontier (Amendment) Regulation, 1925 (V of 1925) should continue to remain in force in Mizoram said that this provision was not only protected by Article 372 of the Constitution but the accord signed between the Centre and the Mizo National Front on June 30, 1986, also provided that the ILR would not be amended or repealed without consulting the state government.
In an emergent one – day session summoned by the Governor at the request of the joint committee of all political parties in the state on August 26, all the 40 legislators expressed concern and dismay that the Centre was stated to be contemplating on revocation of the ILR.
If the Inner Line Regulation was removed, some members argued, people from other parts of India would enter Mizoram in masses and the identity of the Mizos would be swamped in no time.
The Mizos doubtless wanted development but certainly not at the cost of their identity, others said. A former Speaker of the Assembly recalled that when India got independence, there was a high – level meeting between the Mizo National Party and the Centre where it was suggested that if the Mizos felt that their identity was not secure in independent India, they might secede from the Indian Union after ten years.
The resolution while stressing that the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 (V of 1873) as amended by the Bengal Eastern Frontier (Amendment) Regulation, 1925 (V of 1925) should continue to remain in force in Mizoram said that this provision was not only protected by Article 372 of the Constitution but the accord signed between the Centre and the Mizo National Front on June 30, 1986, also provided that the ILR would not be amended or repealed without consulting the state government.
Christians Arrested for Operating Boys’ Hostel in India
Police accompanied by 10 Hindu extremists on Aug. 28 arrested a Christian operator of a boys' hostel in Karnataka, India, after the extremists accused him and another Christian of offering food, shelter, education and future job prospects as an "allurement" to convert to Christianity.Sub-Inspector Chemaiah Hiremath of Kunigal police station told Compass that Pastor Naik and another arrested staff member of the hostel, Rama Naik, had disclosed in voluntary written statements that another pastor, Madesh Kumar, was supplying them with books and other tracts. Asked about the "voluntary statement" he was said to have signed, Pastor Naik replied that both he and Rama Naik were forced to sign blank sheets of paper at the police station.
Hiremath told Compass that Ramesh Kariyappa, a resident of Kunigal, filed a complaint on Aug. 28 against Pastor Naik and Rama Naik of "forcible conversion" and using food and shelter as an allurement to convert. The sub-inspector went to IGWF, where 42 students mainly of the Lambani tribes are housed. He claimed the students were forced to pray to the biblical God, and that Hindus "have gods like Hanuman and goddess Lakshmi."
Hiremath said the Christians had promised the parents of the boys that they would take care of all the children's needs for food, clothing and education - a potentially criminal activity under draconian "anti-conversion" laws in force in some states, but not in Karnataka. Such laws seek to curb religious conversions made by "force, fraud or allurement," but human rights groups say they obstruct conversion generally as Hindu nationalists invoke them to harass Christians with spurious arrests and incarcerations.
The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that Hiremath, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhakar Reddy and another official arrived at the IGWF church with 10 local Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) extremists led by Ramalingayya Gowda and two others identified only as Rangantha and Ramesh.
After falsely accusing the two Christians of fraudulently converting students to Christianity by luring them with food, shelter and education, the extremists slapped evangelist Rama Naik repeatedly and questioned many of the children about hostel activities, their studies and families, according to GCIC. Police put Pastor Naik and Rama Naik into a police jeep and confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature from the hostel.
With the Hindu extremists following behind them, the police then went to a nearby house church, Krupashraya Baptist Church (Grace of God Baptist Church) in search of Pastor Madesh Kumar, but he wasn't at home. His wife, Glory Kumar, told Compass that she was feeding her 18-month-old son when three policemen and six Hindu extremists arrived, entered the house and began questioning her about church activities.
They went around the house and picked up Bibles and some prayer books," she said. Her son began crying, yet the police and extremists "in loud and threatening tones" sternly warned against future worship in the home and ordered her husband to report to the police station when he returned.
The GCIC reported that the police and extremists then went to the Indian Christian Revival Mission in search of Pastor Ranjanaswami Raju at K.R.S. Agrahar, Kunigal Taluk limits, but he was away, and his house, where his church meets, was locked.
Police took Pastor Naik and Rama Naik to the Kunigal police station at 11 p.m. and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including "acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting its religion or religious beliefs" (Sections 295-A) and "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion" (Section 153-A).
When Pastor Kumar showed up at the Kunigal police station along with attorney N.R. Rajashekar the next day, Aug. 29, at about 11 a.m., Hiremath asked him about his source of income and his house church. Pastor Kumar told Compass that he replied that he was an insurance agent and that only praise and worship services were held at his house. Hiremath warned him against "conversion activities" - mistakenly implying that conversion is illegal in India - and sent him home.
Rajashekar told Compass that the Christians were simple, innocent citizens who were being treated like criminals.
Mizoram HIV Statistics July 2009
NATIONAL AIDS CONTROL PROGRAMME
MIZORAM STATUS SINCE OCTOBER 1990 TO JULY 2009
Number of Blood Tested 81,272
HIV Positive (M=2194:F=1420) 3,614
AIDS Cases (M=168: F=131) 299
AIDS Death (M= 97: F= 67) 164
| Mode of Transmission | Male | Female | TOTAL | |
| 1. | Sexual Contact | 1135 | 1068 | 2203 |
| 2. | IDU’s | 905 | 207 | 1112 |
| 3. | Perinatal | 65 | 82 | 147 |
| 4. | Others (Not Specified) | 89 | 63 | 152 |
| TOTAL | 2194 | 1420 | 3614 | |
AGE SEX PROPORTION OF HIV POSITIVE CASES
| AGE GROUP | MALE | FEMALE | TOTAL |
| Less than 14 | 67 | 85 | 152 |
| 15 – 24 | 518 | 438 | 956 |
| 25 – 34 | 910 | 531 | 1441 |
| 35 – 49 | 633 | 343 | 976 |
| 50 above | 66 | 23 | 89 |
| TOTAL | 2194 | 1420 | 3614 |
Third swine flu case detected in Mizoram
Aizawl, Sep 1 : With a 12-year-old girl today testing positive for the swine flu virus, the total number of swine flu cases in Mizoram rose to three, official sources said.
The throat swab samples of the class six student were sent for tests to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) laboratory in Kolkata on last Friday.
The samples have tested positive, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, nodal officer for the H1N1 disease in the state health department, told PTI.
The girl would soon be quarantined and treated at the Falkawn Hospital near here, he said, adding it is being investigated how she contracted the disease.
A total of 54 throat swab samples have been sent to NICED from Mizoram since August 14.
Earlier on August 15, two security personnel tested positive for the virus.
The throat swab samples of the class six student were sent for tests to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) laboratory in Kolkata on last Friday.
The samples have tested positive, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, nodal officer for the H1N1 disease in the state health department, told PTI.
The girl would soon be quarantined and treated at the Falkawn Hospital near here, he said, adding it is being investigated how she contracted the disease.
A total of 54 throat swab samples have been sent to NICED from Mizoram since August 14.
Earlier on August 15, two security personnel tested positive for the virus.
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