Affidavit from Mizo govt on MADC sought

AIZAWL, Jan 15 — The Gauhati High Court has instructed Mizoram government to file an affidavit within a month to show that State Governor AR Kohli passed orders relating to nominated members of the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) in accordance with the provisions of the sixth schedule of the Constitution, reports PTI. A two-page order recently given by Justices AK Patnaik and D Biswas impugned the order passed on December 12 by a single judge of Aizawl bench which suspended the orders of the State Governor removing four nominated members of the MADC and appointment of four others in their places. Mylai Hlychho, a nominated member whose membership was terminated by the Governor’s fax message from New Delhi on December 5, challenged the Governor’s orders in the court. Hlychho expressed the hope that if the court was not satisfied by the affidavit, a new executive body would be installed in the MADC. Executive body of the MADC under the leadership of chief executive member IP Junior of the Mizo National Front supported by the Congress lost majority after two MNF members withdrew support. The executive body was saved in the no-confidence motion after the State Governor terminated the membership of four nominated members and re-appointed four others in their places. Opposition Mara Democratic Front claimed to have 13 members supporting the no-confidence motion in the 23-member MADC.