Former Mizoram Speaker dead

AIZAWL, July 25: Former Speaker of Mizoram Assembly and veteran politician Vaivenga died of prolonged illness at his residence at Tuikhuahtlang locality here on Monday evening, family sources said. He was 66 and is survived by his wife and three daughters. Vaivenga entered politics in 1965 and joined Mizo Union, the first political party in the erstwhile Mizo district when Mizoram was one of the districts of Assam. He contested and won in the district council elections in 1971 and was appointed as executive member of the Mizo autonomous district council having education as his portfolio. He was again elected as legislator in 1972 after Mizoram was upgraded into Union territory status and became one of the first ministers.