Politics / Mizoram

Aizawl, June 29: The 19th anniversary of the Mizoram peace accord tomorrow has created ripples in state politics. The Peace Accord MNF Returnees Association (PAMRA), which split last year, has released two separate messages (from the two factions) for the occasion. While one (PAMRA faction) tilts towards the ruling MNF, the other is pro-Opposition. Yet, the two messages were similar in their homilies, urging the government to show impartiality towards the masses and work for the development of the poorer sections of society.

The pro-Opposition group’s message was scathing in its attack on...

AIZAWL, June 29 – The BJP workers meet here did not endorse the party’s Hindutva agenda and unanimously resolved to resign en masse from the primary membership of the party, the state party unit said on Monday. In a letter addressed to party president M Venkaiah Naidu, the Mizoram Pradesh BJP body said party workers in the state were “compelled” to review their political future in the light of the resurgence of Hindutva agenda at the party’s Mumbai national executive.

“In spite of our sincere endeavour to promote and to strengthen BJP in Mizoram, this Hindutva agenda has been a stumbling...

New Delhi, June 27: The Centre has begun surveying the porous Mizoram-Bangladesh border with a view to fence the frontier, regarded as one of the hotspots of gunrunning in the Northeast. The National Building Construction Corporation Limited (NBCCL), which is under the urban development ministry, has been asked to conduct a survey and compile a report on fencing 200 km of Mizoram’s western border with Bangladesh, the total length of which is 318 km. A final decision will be taken by the home ministry after the completion of the survey. “The survey has been initiated and expected to be...

Aizawl, June 13: Mizoram Opposition leader and PCC chief Lalthanhawla has accused chief minister Zoramthanga of being responsible for the presence of Manipur militants in the state. Lalthanhawla, who toured Zoramthanga’s constituency, Champhai, last week, said the Zomi Revolutionary Organisation (ZRO) and members of its armed wing were present in the state, especially in Champhai constituency bordering Manipur, because they enjoyed the support of the chief minister.

During his tour, the Opposition leader alleged that the MNF owed the ZRO money for “services rendered”, which the ZRO was...

Aizawl, June 7: Various organisations of the Barak Valley have united under the banner of the Northeast Plains People Traders and Youth Federation to resolve differences between the Mizos and the non-Mizos living in the region. In a letter to the Mizoram government, the federation said it was keen on working towards improving the relationship between the different communities living in the state and had even formed the Plains People Fundamental Rights Protection Co-ordination Committee for the purpose.

The letter said the committee had decided to convene a meeting of the various voluntary...

Aizawl, May 25: Experts at a dialogue held today to discuss the draft policy of the ministry of tribal affairs found the policy inadequate in addressing the country’s tribal problems and especially those of the Northeast. The dialogue, organised by the Human Rights and Law Network of Aizawl, was attended by representatives from the churches, press, retired government officials, NGOs and legal practitioners.

The experts unanimously opined that tribals of the Northeast were distinct and could not be encompassed under an all-India tribal policy umbrella as drafted in the policy.

Two former IAS...

Agartala, May 23: The Reang tribals, identified as the only “primitive group” in Tripura, have set in motion a process of unity under the banner of a socio-cultural organisation to protect the interests of the community. A state convention of Reang “Chowdhurys” (chieftains) is being held in Karbook area under Amarpur subdivision of South Tripura to float a new organisation.

More than 500 Reang chieftains from all over the state are attending the meeting, though CPM MP from East Tripura, Bajuban Reang, will not attend as he is in Delhi.

Vasishtha Reang, a senior leader of the community, said...

AIZAWL, May 20 – The situation in Aizawl was now normal and the district administration Wednesday lifted night curfew clamped in the city since Saturday following ethnic flare-up triggered by the murder of a Mizo girl by two non-tribal coolies.

Aizawl district superintendent of police L.T. Hrangchal said following the lifting of curfew against non-Mizos, a few non-tribals were seen on the streets and most of them had resumed their normal avocation.

Aizawl Deputy Commissionr C Tawnluaia also informed his counterpart in neighbouring Silchar in Assam that the situation in Aizawl was completely...

Aizawl, May 18: Leaders of various Mizo organisations today made a case for strengthening the inner-line permit system, which regulates the entry of visitors, and lessening the state’s dependence on labourers from outside the state. The statements were made at street-corner rallies during the course of a peaceful procession taken out by Mizoram’s apex organisation of students, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl, to mourn the murder of a tribal girl last week.

The victim, R. Lalremsiami, was reported missing on Thursday and found murdered two days later. Two non-tribal labourers were implicated in the crime...

AIZAWL, May 17 – The capital city of Mizoram remained peaceful without any untoward incident after Saturday’s communal flare-up due to a local girl’s murder by two non-tribals, but the district administration clamped night curfew from 8.30 pm last night till 4.30 am Monday as a precautionary measure. Mobile and foot patrolling by the armed police continued day and night even as the Aizawl district Superintendent of Police IT Hrangchal said that the situation was completely under control.

About 20 non-tribals were injured in the indiscriminate attacks against non-Mizos by irate boys Saturday...