Mizoram Polity


Profile and Factoids
Mizoram is a land of natural beauty and forms part of the seven sister states in north eastern India. With Aizawl as its capital, the state has endless splendor with variety of landscape, hilly terrains, meandering streams deep gorges, rich in flora and fauna. Mizoram occupies an important strategic position having a long international boundary of 722 Kms, and is flanked by Bangladesh on the west and Myanmar on the east and south.

Land and people

Mizos are known for their kind hospitality, and a close-knit society with no class distinction and no discrimination on grounds of sex. The Mizos are stated to be a part of the great wave of the Mongolian race spilling over into India from China centuries ago. Most of the Mizos are Christians as they came under the influence of the British Missionaries in the 9th century. Mizos are divided into numerous tribes, the largest of which is possibly the Lushais, which comprises almost two-thirds of the state`s population. Other tribes include Hmar, Mara, Paite, Lai, Ralte; of these, 87% of population practises christianity.

Mizoram is a mountainous region having11 districts, namely-Aizawl, Lunglei, Kolasib, Mamit, Serchhip, Saiha, Champhai, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Khawzawl and Saitual.

Mizoram has the most variegated hilly terrain in the eastern part of India. The hills are steep and are separated by rivers which flow either to the north or the south creating deep gorges between the hill ranges. The average height of the hills is about 900 metres. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is the highest peak in Mizoram with a height of 2210 metres. The state has a pleasant climate. It is generally cool in summer and not very cold in winter. During winter, the temperature varies from 11 C to 21 C and in the summer, it varies from 20 C to 29 C.

The entire area is under the direct influence of the monsoon. From May to September, it rains heavily and average rainfall in Aizawl is 208 cm, while winter here is wonderfully blue. The state has great natural beauty and endless variety of landscape and is very rich in flora and fauna. Almost all kinds of tropical tress and plants thrive here, and the hills are marvelously green.

History

The Mizos are a part of Mongolian race migrated from China to India. Their origin is shrouded in mystery, although it is said to have came from Shinlung or Chhinlungsan , located on the banks of river Yalung in China. They first settled in the Shan State and moved on to Kabaw Valley to Khampat and then to the Chin Hills in the middle of the 16th century. Early migrants were known as Kukis, the second immigrants were called New Kukis, while Lushais were considered the last of migrants.

During the Britsh rule various instances took place that led to political awakening among the Mizos. Mizoram was once devastated by great famine in 1959 known as `Mautam Famine`. The cause of this famine is credited to flowering of bamboos that multiplies Rat population after they started eating the seeds of the plant and then turned towards crops infesting huts and houses. As a result of it, several lost their lives out of starvation. To help starving villagers, many welfare organizations were drawn in.

Unsatisfied with the government on failing to aid in this hour of darkness, the Mizo Cultural Society (now christened as Mizoram National Front) was founded with Pu Laldenga as its secretary to voice for affected sections of people.

Since then, the demands for separation from India became an immediate popular. After struggling for over three decades, an accord was signed between (MNF) and Union Government on 30th June, 1986. Finally the formalization of the Mizoram state took place on 20 February, 1987.

Culture and arts

Mizos are music lover by nature and that music was the tune of their life since time immemorial. Their traditional tunes are very soft and gentle, with locals claiming that they can be sung the whole night without the slightest fatigue. Mizo can enthusiastically sing together by clapping hands or any materials even without musical instruments which can produce complementary sound. With western influence in the scene, the Mizos maintained a distinct recognition as Music form an intrinsic part of their society.

The state is incredibly rich in tradition with dances and festivals reflecting the amalgamation of centuries of cross-cultural inputs. The indigenous festivals are closely associated with agricultural activities. Some of the major festivals of the Mizos are: Mim Kut, Pawl Kut and Chapchar Kut. Escorted with few musical instruments like the gong and drum, Mizo people have a number of dances- Cheraw, Khuallam and Chhei Lam.

Cheraw is the most colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizo. It is a very old traditional dance performed with long pairs of horizontal and cross bamboo staves open and close in rhythmic beats in colourful costumes. The unique style of the `Cheraw` dance is a great fascination everywhere and it is performed in all festive occasions.

Economy

More than 70% of total population is engaged in agriculture as it is the mainstay of the people of Mizoram. Horticulture, forest products, industry, mineral, and tourism sectors play important roles in the state`s economy. Mizoram gets its revenue from the horticulture sector as the state has around 4.40 lakh hectares of land under horticulture cultivation.

The main crops grown in the horticulture sector in the state include pineapple, orange, and banana. In overall, the horticulture sector has witnessed a sharp increase in recent years and this has given a major boost to the state’s economy.

Tourism

Mizoram can be an ideal place for vacation with its lavish green fields throughout the state. Places of interest in Aizawl include the Museum at Macdonald`s Hill, the Mizoram State Museum and a mini zoological garden and Durtlang Hills, the northernmost part of Aizawl.

There are other places to attract visitors like Blue Mountain- highest peak in Mizoram; Pukzing Cave-the largest cave in Mizoram; Milu Puk-cave, Lamsial Puk-cave, Sibuta Lung-memorial stone, Phulpui Grave, Chhingpuii Memorial, Mangkhai Lung (memorial stone) Syangpuilawn Inscriptions etc.

The state is accessible from Kolkata via Silchar Airport, which is about 200 km. from Aizawl. It is connected from the rest of states through National Highway 54. NH-150 also connects the state to Imphal, Manipur, while NH-40A links the state with Tripura. Mizoram can be easily reached by train at Bairabi rail station or via Silchar. Bairabi is about 110 km, where Silchar is about 180 km. from Aizawl.

Polity

The present Chief Minister of Mizoram is Pu Lalthanhawla of Congress party, while Governor Lt. Gen MM Lakhra holds the highest office. The state Legislative Assembly has 40 members who are elected by means of a popular vote. Mizoram has one seat in the Lok Sabha and the one in Rajya Sabha.

2004 LOKSABHA SEATS
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MNF 1
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Points from Aizawl

Imphal, April 28 : Along with appointing him as the Secretary of Planning Board of Mizoram Government, PL Thanga, IAS who had retired from service as the Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur has successfully prepared for road map for development in Mizoram.

Considering the capability of PL Thanga, the Mizoram Government appointed the retired IAS officer as the Secretary of its Planning Board three months back.

With his appointment, PL Thanga, who is a master degree holder in Economic Development, Planning and Management from Manchester University, UK has successfully prepared a road map for development of Mizoram and taken up necessary steps towards implementation of the same.

The road map which has also been highly acclaimed by the public, NGOs and Government of Mizoram as well includes major policy issues on foreign trade, agriculture, oil and natural gas, human resource development, road community and power among others.

RNRL's net profit up 4.32 per cent at Rs 71.54 cr in FY 09

Mumbai, Apr 24 Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Natural Resources Ltd, engaged in sourcing, supplying and transporting fuels, today posted a jump of 4.32 per cent in its consolidated net profit at Rs 71.54 crore for the fiscal ended March 31, 2009.

The firm had a net profit of Rs 68.58 crore for the financial year ended March 31, 2008, the company said in a statement.

Reliance Natural Resources Ltd's (RNRL's) total income is up by 13.47 per cent at 416.78 crore in 2008-09 compared to Rs 367.30 crore in the year-ago period.

On a standalone basis, the company posted a 1.86 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 69.87 crore for the year ended March 31, 2009, as compared to Rs 68.59 crore last year.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, Reliance Cement Resources Pvt Ltd became a step-down subsidiary of RNRL.

Reliance Cement Resources Pvt Ltd is a subsidiary of Reliance Cementation, which in turn is a subsidiary of RNRL.

RNRL is engaged in the business of sourcing, supplying and transportation gas, coal and liquid fuels. It has been awarded four coal bed methane (CBM) blocks with an acreage of about 3,251 sq km.

It has also been awarded an oil and gas block in Mizoram of about 3,619 sq km under the sixth round of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-IV) for exploring and producing oil and gas. The company has received PEL for this oil and gas block and operations are on.

North-east sees high turnout

Guwahati, April 17 : Voting for the first phase of elections in India's insurgency-hit northeast ended today with millions of people casting their votes amid stray incidents of violence and despite the rain in some places.

"Voting has ended rather peacefully in six of the seven northeastern states with heavy polling recorded," an election official said. According to preliminary reports, an estimated 65 per cent polling was recorded in the three parliamentary seats of Silchar, Karimganj, and Autonomous District of Assam.

"The final polling percentage could be much higher as we are still compiling figures from remote areas," the official said. "There were a few minor incidents of faulty EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and temporary suspension of voting, but otherwise polling passed off very peacefully," the official added.

Voting was also held in two seats each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, and one seat each in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.

An estimated 7.45 million voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase of elections in the six of the seven northeastern states. The electoral fortunes of 72 candidates would be decided in today's vote.

"In Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, the polling percentage is estimated between 60 and 70 per cent, while in Manipur it could be anything between 40 and 50 per cent according to preliminary reports," the official said. "There were rains in Arunachal Pradesh, but it failed to dampen the voters."

There were incidents of violence in the run-up to the elections in Assam and Manipur with militants triggering explosions and attacking trains, besides ambushing security personnel, in which about 15 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

"We are happy that the vote passed off peacefully so far," Assam police chief Mr GM Srivastava said.

The security situation in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya is comparatively better than in Assam and Manipur.

CRPF jawan dies as militants fire at train

Guwahati: One CRPF jawan was killed and 10 passengers were injured when suspected militants of Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Gorlossa faction) fired indiscriminately at a running train at Wagrendisa in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district on Friday afternoon. The condition of a Railway Protection Security Force jawan was stated to be critical.
The militants sprayed bullets from automatic weapons at the engine and coaches of the train, which started from Badarpur and was bound for Lumding, S. Hajong, chief public relations officer, Northeast Frontier Railway, told The Hindu. The engine came to a halt as its water tank and water circulation pipe were damaged in the firing. CRPF jawan Anil Tiwari died on way to hospital.
The incident came on the heels of an attack on the convoy of an election observer at Gunjum between the district headquarters town of Haflong and Umragnshu on Wednesday morning.
The outfit, in a media statement on Thursday, clamped a “ban” on train movement, and work on the ongoing gauge conversion project of the NF Railway and the East-West Corridor project of the National Highway Authority of India in the district. It also clamped a ban on electioneering there by the Congress until the party promised to rename the district Dima Hasao Raji.

Decision on MLAs not easy: Speaker

Shillong, April 10 : Meghalaya Speaker Bindo Lanong today admitted that he had a difficult time last night taking the final decision on the disqualification of the four legislators who had crossed the floor.
The four legislators — Paul Lyngdoh of Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai of the Nationalist Congress Party and Independents Ismail Marak and Limison Momin — had deserted the NCP-UDP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance last month for the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance.
The disqualification decision was crucial for the Speaker as he had been facing a lot of criticism from the MUA for trying to disqualify the legislators, while the MPA thought he was going slow on the decision.
Caught in a dilemma, the Speaker had to “burn the midnight oil” to arrive at a final decision. “I have really burnt the midnight oil. I have only followed the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution to disqualify the legislators,” he told The Telegraph
Lanong said foreseeing the political crisis, he had collected several documents and court orders from outside and from his library to study the various aspects of disqualification of legislators in case such a situation arose.
The Speaker, who is a lawyer, also consulted his colleagues in Gauhati High Court and Supreme Court on the implications of going ahead with the disqualifications. 
According to Lanong, there will not be any room for further appeal on part of the disqualified legislators as he has quoted previous instances of Supreme Court upholding similar decisions.
He said the Tenth Schedule was very strong and exhaustive. The parameters laid down in the Constitution were definite and rigid and every small move by a legislator intending to switch allegiance to another party attracted the provisions of the anti-defection law. 
“If I don’t go by the provisions of the law, I will be blamed by the people that I had been bought by the political parties,” he added.
The Speaker said his order might act as a deterrent for legislators to change their allegiance. At the same time, he admitted that “there will be some unscrupulous legis-lators who, under greed for money, can change loyalties.”
CLP leader D.D. Lapang said the final disqualification of the four legislators was “illegal and unconstitutional and the MUA still has 31 legislators and would go ahead with government formation” once the governor invited them. There are indications that the governor may call the MUA to form the government after withdrawal of President’s rule.
The four legislators have decided to move the high court next week against their disqualification.

Bay ‘low’ delayed by a day, Arabian Sea quiet



Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram, April 8 India Meteorological Department (IMD) has delayed the outlook for formation of the first ‘low’ of the pre-monsoon season over south Bay of Bengal by one day to Sunday.
The precipitation activity over south peninsular India is forecast to rev up from Saturday onwards in anticipation of the ‘low.’
OVERNIGHT RAIN Varying amounts of overnight rainfall have already been reported from a few places in Telengana, Kerala and coastal Karnataka, an update by the Regional Met Centre, Chennai, said on Wednesday.
Isolated rainfall occurred over interior Karnataka. Outlook for the next two days said rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at a few places over south Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep.
In Tamil Nadu, the most likely places to come under rains are Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Theni, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar and Dindugal districts. Isolated light to moderate rain is likely to occur over the rest of the State and Puducherry.
LESS STRIDENT International models are less strident in their outlook for an Equatorial Indian Ocean-based storm veering to the north-northwest and wheeling along the Kerala coast. But the adjoining land area would witness pulsating waves of rainfall, they said.
‘Phase evolution’ model from a leading forecaster still maintained the outlook for a ‘weather system’ tracking all the way up along the Kerala coast. Meteorologists are of the view that the fuming waters (of 31 degree Celsius and above) needed to be scanned closely for signs of storm development.
As for the Bay ‘low,’ models are of the view that heavy rains could lash north coastal Tamil Nadu (including Chennai) as the system moves west and parks itself along the coast for sometime.
UNSETTLED WEATHER The tongue of enhanced convection from the southeast (from west and adjoining south Sri Lanka) could gradually extend into southwest Bay of Bengal and coerce the ‘low’ to fall in line before being driven north-east into Andamans and Myanmar.
Thunderstorms and squalls marked the disturbed weather in Northwest and North-East India on Wednesday and more of the same have been forecast for the next day or two as well.
A warning issued by the IMD spoke about the possibility of thunder squalls and hail at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and west Uttar Pradesh during the next 24 hours.
Isolated thunder squall is likely over the North-East States during the next two days. A causative trough from Gangetic West Bengal to Telangana on Wednesday ran down from Orissa to coastal Karnataka through Chhattisgarh, Telangana and south Madhya Maharashtra. Isolated thundershowers are likely over Karnataka and Telengana.
THUNDERSHOWERS In Northwest India, rain or thundershowers are likely at many places over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarkhand and west Uttar Pradesh during the next 24 hours and isolated thereafter.
Isolated thunderstorms have been warned of in Rajasthan during the next 24 hours but mainly dry weather thereafter. Isolated rain or thunderstorm is likely over the rest of Northwest India.
To the east, isolated thundershowers are likely over West Bengal, Sikkim, Orissa, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand during the next two days. Rain or thundershowers are also likely at many places over the North-East.

NPCC reacts to Sangma’s campaigning

Dimapur, April 8 : The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today reacted to the speech of NCP leader and former speaker PA Sangma at election rallies in Nagaland yesterday and said that both Sangma and Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio ‘remote control’ gadgets to retain power in their respective states ‘by hook or by crook’. The NPCC predicted that Sangma’s joint campaign with Rio in Nagaland may bring misfortune to NPF-DAN Government in Nagaland in due course of time.

A press release issued by the NPCC Vice President, Zacilhö Vadeo, while reacting to election campaigning of PA Sangma in Nagaland, stated that P.A. Sangma used press buttons in controlling the entire NCP and its alliance (MPA) in Meghalaya whereas in Nagaland, Rio controls NPF and NCP ‘via remote control gadget’.
“Under their authority both the Nagaland and Meghalaya Speakers had mis-used (ultra-vires) their power and abused the provisions of the Constitution of India to ensure that the DAN Government in Nagaland and MPA Government in Meghalaya respectively stuck to power by hook or by crook,” the release asserted adding that ‘these illegal and unconstitutional conducts of both the Speakers resulted in the clamping of President’s rule in Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Hitting out at Rio’s word describing Sangma as the face of the N.E politics, Vadeo wondered ‘with what face Sangma is meeting people when he himself is subverting and adopting belligerent stand against the Constitution of India’.

In this regard, the release stated that Sangma, in his ambitious and opportunistic political mission, came down from Delhi and planted dynastic politics wherein he became MLA, installed one of his son as Finance Minister, another as Parliamentary Secretary in the MPA Ministry recently and his daughter as Lok Sabha MP of Tura seat. However, the release stated that the MPA members walked out from the government since Sangma was ‘too autocratic’ which resulted in the downfall of ‘his remote controlled Government’.

While saying that Sangma was a tall leader in Delhi whose popularity has declined extensively today, the release stated that he has transformed himself as the Convenor of N.E forum of non-Congress Parties and trying to mesmerize the people of the North East, ‘if catching the last straw for regaining his political hold’.

However, the NPCC while asserting that the people knows his political ploy so it will just be a futile exercise, stated that a man whose House in Meghalaya is in complete shamble and disorder, has no moral authority to conduct Election campaign in other States, and therefore asked Sangma to first set his house in order and speak to the Naga people.

“Well, such an unlucky person, Sangma’s joint campaign with Rio in Nagaland may bring misfortune to NPF-DAN Government in Nagaland in due course of time,” the release stated.

Asserting that Sangma is maintaining double standard in campaigning for the BJP in the northeast while the NCP ‘undisputed’ leader Sharad Pawar is all out against the saffron party, the NPCC affirmed that ‘his political mis-adventure has plunged him into serious identity crisis-a persona-non-grata in the circle of power politics’.
 
Cong rebuts Rio remark
 
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio’s remark branding the Congress party as the Number 1 enemy of the NPF during an election rally yesterday has not gone down well with the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC). The Congress party asserted that Rio’s remark displayed scan regard for democratic value and tenets as Chief Minister of a democratic Institution, which precisely means the “end of Democracy – R.I.P”.

The Congress party asserted that in a parliamentary democracy, the opposition bench has its own defined role and responsibility to perform in the interest of its citizens and

A press release issued by the NPCC media cell chairman, R Paphino, while saying that the NPCC is acting as the watch dog of the people of Nagaland as an effective Opposition Party on commission and omission of the DAN Government, asserted that the party is against corruption, nepotism and all forms of anti-people’s practices.

Alleging the DAN Government and NPF are indulging in all forms of activities which are not in the interest of the people of Nagaland, Paphino stated that the Congress, as Opposition Party, cannot remain a mute spectator.

Also saying that Rio seems to have completely lost his balance of thinking as can be gauged through his expression, Paphino sated that Rio’s utterance displayed scant regard for democratic value and tenets as Chief Minister of a democratic Institution

“To be precise, his comment means end of Democracy – R.I.P,” the Congress leader asserted. 

Assam: 8-yr-old, grandmother among those killed

Guwahati: Six days ago, eight-year-old Masum, a class II student from Sipajhar, was brought to Guwahati Medical College to be operated upon for a tumour below her left ear. Today, she was discharged. But she never made it home.

Masum was on her way home with her father, grandmother and uncle. The family stopped for a cup of tea at a popular tea stall at Maligaon Chariali in Guwahati at 2 pm, when a powerful explosion occurred just outside the stall. Masum died on the spot.

Two hours later, Masum’s grandmother Jaharunnessa (58) succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Majibur Rahman, Masum’s father, who has sustained grievous injuries from the explosion, is undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College.

At least seven persons were killed in the blast that rocked Maligaon blast on Monday. More than 58 people, several of whom are said to be critical, are undergoing treatment at different hospitals here.

The explosion occurred a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s scheduled visit to the state. On Sunday, President Pratibha Patil had left Guwahati after a four-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Masum’s death has brought back memories of Moromi Sharma, a 10-year-old girl, who was killed in the serial blasts that had rocked Guwahati on October 30 last year. Moromi, daughter of a carpenter, had battled for life for four days before she died.

Bhupen Kumar(37), who was on his way to fetch his wife Dipu, a teacher at a private school in Maligaon, too, became a victim of the blast.

“Bhupen had been struggling for several years a small-time contactor. He had just started doing fairly well. He got married in December 2007 and had called me only last week to tell me that his wife is pregnant,” said Bhupen friend Abhijit Sharma.

92 per cent of voters in Mizoram have EPIC

Aizawl, April 6 : Aizawl Deputy Commissioner C Thanchhuma today said 92.09 per cent of the voters in Mizoram electoral photo identity card (EPIC) against the national average of about 80 per cent.

Speaking at the meeting of poll officials here, Mr Thanchhuma, also the District Election Officer, informed that such figure was assessed at 95.03 per cent in Aizawl district having 14 constituencies.

"'The percentage is likely to improve," the Deputy Commissioner said.

Mr Thanchhuma also stated that all-out efforts were being taken to ensure smooth and peaceful polls in the state even as the electronic voting machines had been crosschecked with computers to ensure their accountability. "'The polling stations, to which the EVMs are assigned, will be notified two days before the polling date, that is April 16," he said. A team of seven experts had already given a first phase training to the polling staff yesterday and today, while the second phase training would commence on April 8 and 9.

Four candidates — C L Ruala of Congress, H Lallungmuana of Mizo National Front-Mizoram Peoples Conference, Lalawmpuia Chhangte of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Rualpawla of Israel National Front - are in the fray for the April 16 Parliamentary polls. The Congress last won the Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram in 1996, when party veteran C Silvera bagged the seat by defeating the MNF nominee by a margin of 14,481 votes. Silvera became the first Union Minister from Mizoram.

The MNF-MPC candidate, Lallungmuana, was a former MP from Mizoram who defeated then ruling Congress candidate J Lalsangzuala in the 1998 general elections.

Unlike most other Indian states, women voters outnumber men in Mizoram with 318,150 women voters against 311,005 male electorate. (Agencies)

Rorelna sangah Zofaten MP pathum?

rorenlasangah
Aizawl: Zohnahthlak inunauna ngaihtuah mi pakhat chuan tun tum Lok Sabha MP thlanna neih tur hi tlang hrang atangin a thlir a, chu a thlirna tlang atang chuan inthlan lo awm tur a hmuah dan hi a hahdam hle thung. "Mizoram atang chuan Mizo MP kan nei dawn chiang a, Bangalore Central-ah Congress ticket chu HT Sangliana’n a chang a, Outer Manipur-ah Congress ticket changtu chu Thangso Baite a ni a, ani bakah hian NCP candidate chu LB Sona a ni bawk a, anni hi Outer Manipur biala tlin beiseiawm an ni a, an tlin vaih chuan Zofaten India ram rorelna sangah MP pathum kan nei thei," tiin a sawi. He a ngaihdan hi kan tawmpui emaw, tawmpui loh ngawt chi pawh niin a lang hek lo, Zohnahthlak tan MP pathum neih theihna ‘chance’ a awm a, chu chu thil thleng zen zen lah a ni hek lo.
Nimin lawka Aizawl Sipai Lammuala Congress mipui 1,000 vel pungkhawm hmaa ‘chibai’ tia mipui hmaa thusawi bul tantu Rahul Gandhi chuan Tuibong Peace Ground, Churachandpur-ah ‘chibai’ ti bawkin Kuki-Chin-Mizo pungkhawmte rilru a hneh a, Thangso Baite tan Rahul a campaign. Outer Manipur Congress MP candidate Thangso Baite hi Zou emaw, Paite emaw inchhal tura ngaih a ni a, chutah a khingpui Zohnahthlak tho NCP candidate LB Sona hi Paite a ni bawk. Hemite pahnih hian Outer Manipur-a mihring ngah em em Naga hnam an khing dawn. Zohnahthlak hi an tanho loh fo avangin Naga hian Outer Manipur hi an la chawk.
Kum 1967 khan Zohnahthlak Independent P. Haokip chuan Outer Manipur MP nihna hi a lo hauh tawh a, a term lehah INC candidate Zohnahthlak tho Paokai chu thlan tlin a ni ve thung, 1980 khan Gouzagin chuan MP nihna hauh lehin heta tanga 1996 thleng hian Naga kutah Outer Manipur hi a awm leh ta a, 1998 khan CPI candidate Kim Gangte chu MP-ah thlan tlin a ni leh ta nawlh a, 1999 khan Zohnahthlak tho NCP candidate Holkhomang thlantlin a ni ve leh thung, tuna MP ni mek erawh Naga hnam niin Mani Charenamei a ni.
Outer Manipur, Manipur thingtlangram MP bialah hian Meitei tan in candidate theih a ni ve lo a, tun tumah hian candidate hi pakua lai an awm a, chungte chu L B Sona (NCP), L Adani (BJP), Thangso Baite (Congress), M Yamkhongam (RJD), Thang Khagin (LJP), Mani Cheranamei (People’s Democratic Alliance) leh independents Valley Rose, Rose Mangsi Haokip leh Lamlalmoi Gangte an ni a. Zohnahthlak zingah hian candidate hi an awm nual a, beiseiawm deuh erawh pahnih vel chauh hi an ni. Naga mi, he biala MP ni lai PDA candidate Mani Cheranamei hi tawhkhirh pawl tak ni tura ngaih a ni. "Zohnahthlakte hi tangho thiam ila chuan MP-ah hian kan tling fo thei ang…" tiin an sawi thin.
Manipur hian MP hi pahnih an nei thei a, Outer leh Inner Manipur tiin bial an then a, Inner hi Manipur khawpui Imphal leh a chhehvel a ni a, hei hi Meitei biala ngaih a ni thin.
Kum 2004 khan Bangalore North bial atangin Mizo pa ngei mai chu MP atan rawn thlan tlin nawlh a ni a, HT Sangliana khan a khingpui Congress veteran C.K. Jaffer Sharief chu BJP ticket hmangin a paihthla a, Lok Sabha-ah Zohnahthlak MP pahnih an awm phah.
Kum 2008 July thlaa Indo-US nuclear deal a thlawp avanga BJP lamin an ensan tak HT Sangliana chuan Bangalore Central, vote maktaduai 1.9 lai awmna chu Congress ticket hmangin a chang leh thei ta cheu.
"Pathianin min pui ang a, pathian miten min vote ang , chumi avanga hnehna ka neih chu zaah zain ka ring," tiin a sawi nghe nghe. Kum 36 chhung ngawt police officer hna lo chelh tawh hian a bial tharah hian Janata Dal(Secular) B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan leh BJP candidate buk rit tak tur P.C. Mohan a khing dawn. Bangalore bial chu nasa taka sawi danglam a ni a, Bangalore Central hi bial thar a ni, kum 2008 MLA inthlanah khan he bial MLA 28 awm theihnaah hian BJP chuan seat 17 ngawt an hauh thei, chu chu ‘majority’ a ni. HT Sangliana hian a huphurh lo hle thung, Congress ticket a chan theihna chhan chu UPA lama trust vote a pek vang a nih loh thu a sawi nghe nghe.
India ram rorelna sang Lok Sabha-ah hian member hi 543 an awm a, chung zingah chuan tihfuh chuan Zohnahthlak pathum chu tel ve thei dinhmunah a ding tihna a nih tak chu. (Courtesy Evening Post)

Court criticises insurance company for delaying claim

New Delhi, April 3 The Delhi High Court Thursday came down heavily on Oriental Insurance Co (OIC) Ltd for harassing the insured person’s family by indulging in frivolous litigation to deny their claims and imposed costs of Rs.60,000 on it.
“This is a classical example of an insurance company raising frivolous pleas resulting in wastage of judicial time, delay of trial, harassment and delay in payment of compensation to the legal representatives of the deceased victim of a road accident,” Justice J.R. Midha said.
The family of a 16-year-old teenager had claimed the insurance money following his death in a road accident 13 years ago while he was going on his bicycle.
The insurance company, however, did not pay the claim, saying the vehicle was not properly insured.
They family of the deceased then approached a tribunal, which upheld their claim, and imposed costs of Rs.25,000 on the insurance company. The company then approached the high court against the tribunal’s order.
Taking strong exception to such kind of petitions on frivolous grounds, the court dismissed its plea and imposed costs on it.

Andaman makes ID card mandatory even for tour operators

Port Blair, Apr 2 : The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has decided to issue identity cards to all the people engaged in tourism sector in a bid to tighten security along the coasts.

”The identity cards will be issued by the respective sub-divisional police officers to all the persons engaged in scuba diving and pleasure boats. All of them have been advised by the local administration to submit their applications within 15 days,” V Renganathan, Superintendent of Police in Andaman, told UNI today.

”Sometimes it becomes impossible to the identify the crew and owner of tourist boat,” Mr Renganathan said.
Meanwhile, all the station house officers and in-charges had been directed by the administration to inform personally all the scuba diving and pleasure boat operators in their jurisdiction to apply for the identity cards.

Mizoram news briefs

The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for use of the new Raj Bhawan building at New Capital Complex for High Court building. The Cabinet meeting held yesterday under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr. Lal Thanhawla also agreed to demarcate the area to be used by the High Court as its premises. The meeting agreed to utilize the fund earmarked for construction of Rajiv Gandhi stadium at Lammual for construction of a Sports stadium at the 3rd MAP Battalion Hqrs. in Mualpui as the Assam Rifle authority has not given clearance for construction of the stadium at Lammual. The meeting also agreed to shift the proposed Indoor stadium at New Capital Complex to AH & Veterinary Complex at Republic Veng. Other agenda approved by the Cabinet were The Mizoram Air & Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) (Amendment) Rules, 2009, The Mizoram Science & Technology Research Fellowship Rule, 2008 and proposal for framing Mizoram State Employment Guarantee Fund Rules, 2008.
To control the dreaded malaria, yearly routine spray of DDT  begins today in selected villages and localities where there is high incidence of malaria. The spray of DDT in the first phase is to be completed by 7th May and the second phase starting from 1st June will be completed by 8th July. To launch the DDT spray the Health Department workers have already selected villages where the incidence of Malaria is high. The target villages to be covered are selected on the basis of the annual incidence of malaria as recorded during the last year which have not less than five malaria cases out of 1000 persons.
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Training of 27 youths in Multi Disciplinary lines conducted by Mizoram KVI Board was concluded today. In a function held at the Multi Disciplinary Training Centre, Zemabawk, KVIC Director, Mr. RK Damija handed over certificates to the trainees who successfully completed 6 month training course. Of the 27 trainees, 13 completed tailoring course, 10 of them completed beauty culture, 3 others completed steel fabrication and 1 persons successfully completed carpentry course.
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30 houses in Sangau village were completely damaged by a storm yesterday afternoon and 10 more houses were also partially damaged. According to the report given to Lawngtlai DC the damaged buildings also included 1 Presbyterian Church, 2 UPC Churches and the Tourist Lodge in Sangau. As already stated in the nearby Lungtian-I village 20 houses and 2 others in Lungtian-II were also completely damaged by the storm which lashed the area yesterday afternoon.
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Mizo Zirlai Pawl reminded the Government of the urgency to rationalize posting of Hindi teachers in the Middle Schools of the State. This was stated by the MZP President, Mr. C. Lalhmachhuana in a meet the press programme held in Aizawl Press Club today. Referring to the hardships being faced by the students of the Middle Schools because of haphazard distribution and posting of Hindi teachers the MZP President said, the plea of the students has been communicated to the Government since July last year and whatever has been done in this regard is still insufficient to meet the present requirement. He also said that there are 73 Middle Schools having no Hindi teacher at present while there are 58 Schools having 2 Hindi teachers. He also said that there are two Middle Schools having 3 Hindi teachers and most of them are in the urban areas. Later the MZP leaders submitted a memorandum to the Education Minister, Mr. Lalsawta. The Minister informed them that their plea will be looked into in due course of time. The Minister also informed them that a number of problems inherited by the new Government is being solved in a phase manner.
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The draft NLUP Project report was discussed today in a meeting chaired by the Agriculture Minister Mr. H.Liansailova. The meeting was attended among others by the members of the State Planning Board and the NLUP Board. Addressing the meeting, the Agriculture Minister said, the Model Scheme drafted for the NLUP is to be submitted to the Government shortly and the Detailed Project Report will be studied at Thailand Development Model Scheme in Bangkok before it is submitted to the Planning Commission. The study team will be headed by DR. NK Singh, Strategic Consultant of Foundation for International Human Resources Development.
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The process of Parliamentary elections and the Assembly bye-election to be held simultaneously in South Tuipui constituency in is motion. Meanwhile the State Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Lalmalsawma and public broadcaster, All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra Aizawl have finalized the programme for political broadcast of recognized Political Party today. In the draw of lots held in his the CEO office, the two recognized Political Parties, MNF and MPC are to share the times slot for Political broadcast on 9th, 11th and 13th of this month. The National Party, Congress also is to have a short political broadcast on the 13th of this month. ZNP is however not allotted time for political broadcast for not participating in the forth coming elections.  Meanwhile, Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) headed by Mr. Lalrosiem also announced its option to become a silent spectator of the elections. In a press release, the Party however granted freedom to the party members to exercise their franchise as per their own will.
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The Congress General Secretary, Mr. Rahul Gandhi is visiting Aizawl tomorrow. In this connection, the Superintendent of Police, Traffic asked the people not to park vehicles on the road side from Thuampui Helipad to Vanapa Hall via Bawngkawn, Chaltlang, Chanmari, Zarkawt and Dawrpui tomorrow to facilitate smooth movement of the VIP.
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Power crisis continues this evening with only 30 megawatts of power received from the North Eastern Power Despatch Centre, Shillong. Official sources told our Corr. that the crisis is coupled with shutting down of Bairabi Thermal Plant which cannot produce power because of over heat. The Department asked the Company Engineer in Kolkata to come immediately to Aizawl for rectification of the defect. Meanwhile maintenance work in Kopli and Khandong Hydel Projects has been completed and the Projects are expected to generate power in the near future.
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The state level review meeting on HIV/AIDS was held today in Information Auditorium. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Secretary Mr. Vanhela Pachuau who also is the Chairman of State AIDS Control Society underlined the need to fight against the dreaded disease with hard work, honesty and sincerity. The report given by Mizoram State Aids Control Society stated that 43 voluntary organizations currently involved themselves in the drive against the dreaded disease by allotting their respective spheres of works.
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Today, the maximum temperature of Aizawl City was 25.7 degree Celsius and the minimum was 16.2 degree Celsius. Rainfall recorded during the day was 12.6 millimetres.