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Mizoram CM elect Plans Talks with Shah, Jaishankar on Refugee Issues

Around 13,000 men, women and children belonging to the Kuki-Zo community from ethnic violence-hit Manipur also took shelter in Mizoram….reports Asian Lite News

Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) President and Mizoram’s Chief Minister-designate Lalduhoma on Wednesday said that he would soon meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the issues of refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur’s displaced people, who sheltered in Mizoram.

So far around 32,000 people from Myanmar have taken shelter in Mizoram after the military took over that country in February 2021 and over 1,000 people from Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh also fled to the northeastern state after the ethnic troubles in the hilly areas.

Besides, around 13,000 men, women and children belonging to the Kuki-Zo community from ethnic violence-hit Manipur also took shelter in Mizoram.

“Our government would try to provide better relief to all the refugees compared to that by the outgoing MNF (Mizo National Front) government,” Lalduhoma told the media after meeting Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan and staking claim to form the new government following his party’s victory in the November 7 Assembly polls.

He expressed optimism that the Centre would extend its help to the state government to take care of the refugees as it is a humanitarian issue.

The ZPM supremo and his Council of Ministers are likely to take oath on Friday at Raj Bhavan.

“I had telephonic talks with Shah and Jaishankar on Tuesday. I would soon meet both of them in Delhi to discuss how the Centre and the state government can jointly look after the Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees and displaced people from Manipur,” the IPS officer-turned-politician said.

He said that Jaishankar (former IFS officer) was his batchmate during his service. The septuagenarian leader said his government would maintain good relations with the Centre and the Governor also assured him that he would provide all support to his government.

He said, “Our government would give priority to agriculture and needs of the farmers. We would undertake some projects and schemes for the development of agriculture and economic benefit of the farmers.”

The first session of the new Mizoram Assembly would be convened on December 12. Earlier the Governor handed a letter to Lalduhoma appointing him as the next Chief Minister of Mizoram.

ZPM, formed in 2018, wrested power for the first time in the state by delivering a humiliating defeat to the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF).

The ZPM secured 27 seats in the 40-member Assembly to capture power in mountainous Mizoram, which has been governed either by the Congress or by the MNF since it became the 23rd state of India on February 20, 1987 after the signing of the Peace Accord in 1986.

MNF this time bagged only 10 seats. Meanwhile, the newly-elected MLAs of the ZPM in a meeting on Tuesday night elected Lalduhoma as the legislature party leader. The meeting finalised other matters of government formation.

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ZPM Sweeps Elections, Lalduhoma to Helm Mizoram

Aizwal, Dec 04 (ANI): The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) supporters celebrate after the party's victory in the Mizoram Assembly elections, in Aizwal on Monday. (ANI Photo)

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has won 27 seats in the 40-member Assembly while the Mizo National Front (MNF) was reduced to 10 seats…reports Asian Lite News

After registering a landslide victory by winning 27 out of 40 assembly constituencies in Mizoram, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is now going to form the next government in the north-eastern state and Lalduhoma, the ZPM chief, is all set to become Mizoram’s next Chief Minister.

While the incumbent CM’s party, the Mizo National Front (MNF) won 10 seats, the BJP won two seats and Congress won one.

Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, who won the Serchhip seat, told ANI that “after swearing in, we will announce our top priority projects for the next 100 days.”

“Mizoram is facing a financial crisis and the financial condition is very bad. We are going to inherit from the outgoing government. In spite of this, we are going to honour our commitment. That is buying of four selected items – ginger, turmeric, chilli and broom stick. These four items have been identified. We declared the minimum price and we are going to start now. Right now, we are going to go through the process of buying these four items. In spite of all the constraints we are facing, this is our commitment to the people and we are going to honour it. This is our first priority; we are friends of farmers and we have to give them that top priority,” Lalduhoma said.

Talking about financial reform in the state, Lalduhoma said that there will be consolidation in finance; financial reform is very necessary, and for that, they are going to make a resource mobilization team comprising the expert members and they will look after the austerity measures, investment measures, manpower assessment and all that.

“After that, our main priority will be anti-corruption measures and for that, we are going to give general consent to the CBI as soon as possible. The law will take its own course. I am not in favour of witch hunting. We will start from now with the new government to defy corruption,” Lalduhoma said.

He further said that, after swearing in, the new government will announce its top priority projects for the next 100 days.#

“Probably tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I will meet the Governor. We will have a meeting with our elder councils and we are going to form a ministry with them. A swearing-in ceremony will be held within this month. I can’t fix the date right now,” Lalduhoma said.

The ZPM, which was formed six years ago through a merger of six smaller outfits, swept the assembly polls in Mizoram on Monday, ending decades of rule by the MNF and the Congress in the northeastern state.

From being in charge of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s security to leading the ZPM to a historic win, Lalduhoma’s journey has been all about battling against the odds.

His journey as an IPS officer started in 1977. Interestingly, he served as a squad leader in Goa to crush delinquent hippies and smugglers. His achievements were recognised by the national media.

Lalduhoma quit his job to join Congress and was elected from Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha seat in 1984.

Following his service, Lalduhoma founded the ZPM, a political party that has now become a key player in Mizoram’s political landscape.

Earlier in 1984, Lalduhoma started his political career but faced a political trajectory when he became the first Member of Parliament to be disqualified under the anti-defection law.

The committee demanded the state ministry resign from the legislature by organising public protests in early June and then a mass hunger strike on June 23. He formed the Mizo National Union (MNU) in 1986, which later merged with the Mizoram People’s Conference and was made working president.

Earlier in 2020, Lalduhoma faced disqualification as a member of the Legislative Assembly for violating the anti-defection law. However, he made a triumphant comeback by winning the by-election for the Serchhip seat in 2021.

In the last assembly elections, Lalduhoma emerged as the chief ministerial candidate for the ZPM-led coalition. (ANI)

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Milestone in Mizoram: Three Women Emerge as MLAs

In the November 7 Assembly elections, 174 candidates, including 16 women, fought the polls while in the last Assembly elections in 2018, a total of 209 candidates, including 18 women, contested…reports Asian Lite News

Mizoram scripted history on Monday as for the first time, three women candidates were elected to the 40-member Assembly in one go.

Poll winner Zoram People’s Movement (ZMP) candidate Lalrinpuii won from Lunglei East constituency and her party colleague and television presenter Baryl Vanneihsangi was elected from Aizawi South-3 seat.

Pravo Chakma of the Mizo National Front (MNF) won from West Tuipui seat.

Lalrinpuii and Chakma defeated their male Congress candidates while Baryl Vanneihsangi beat her MNF opponent.

With Christian-dominated (87 per cent) Mizo society being traditionally following by the patriarchal culture, Mizoram’s main political parties hardly had nominated women candidates in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

In the November 7 Assembly elections, 174 candidates, including 16 women, fought the polls while in the last Assembly elections in 2018, a total of 209 candidates, including 18 women, contested.

In the 2013 assembly polls, 136 candidates including six women aspirants contested the polls.

None of the women candidates had won in the 2013 or the 2018 polls.

In Mizoram, the first woman elected to the legislature (Mizoram was elevated to Union Territory-status in 1972 with a 30-member legislature) was L. Thanmawii of People’s Conference (PC), led by former Chief Minister Brig. T. Sailo (retd), from Serchhip constituency in 1978.

K.Thansiami of the same party was the second woman elected to the Assembly in 1984, followed by Lalhlimpuli of the MNF who was inducted as the first woman minister in 1987 in the government headed by the then Chief Minister Laldenga, a militant leader-turned-politician.

Lalhlimpuii was a minister for 19 months before the government was toppled in the later part of 1988.

In 2014, Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu was elected in the by-election from Hrangturzo Assembly seat and ikn 2017, she was inducted as a minister of state in the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who was headed Mizoram government in different terms for more than 22 years.

In the November 7 election, 1.21 per cent more women voters exercised their franchise than their men counterparts. Female voters’ turnout was 81.25 per cent while 80.04 per cent male voters cast their votes across the mountainous state.

In the electoral lists of Mizoram, women always outnumber the male voters. Women are over 51.22 per cent of the total 8,57,063-strong electorate in Mizoram’s latest voters’ list. In all 4,39,026 women voters outnumbered the male electorate of 4,13,062 in the electoral rolls, which were published on October 4 after several month-long special summary revision of voters’ list with reference to October 1 as the qualifying date for inclusion of names.

Of the eleven districts in Mizoram, only in the minority community-inhabited Mamit district is the number of male voters (32,723) higher than their female (32,064) counterparts.

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Campaigning ends for Mizoram, 20 seats in Chhattisgarh

Political parties unofficially wound up their canvassing 24 hours ahead of schedule, observing a silent Sunday, both Modi, who skipped campaigning here, and Kharge released a video appeal for the voters…reports Asian Lite News

The campaign for the elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly and 20 Assembly segments in Chhattisgarh came to a close on Sunday ahead of the polling on November 7.

Political parties unofficially wound up their canvassing 24 hours ahead of schedule, observing a silent Sunday, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who skipped campaigning here, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge released a video appeal for the voters. Modi made a pitch for “marvellous Mizoram” while Kharge claimed that it was the Congress that brought “peace and stability” to the State.

Meanwhile in Chhattisgarh, on the last day of campaigning for the 20 seats, Modi visited Maa Bamleshwari temple in Dongargarh in company with former Chief Minister Raman Singh whose fate among other candidates will also be sealed on November 7.

In his video address for Mizoram voters, Modi said the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had been trying relentlessly to reduce the psychological and physical distance between New Delhi and the northeast since 2014.

“We have given priority to realising your dreams and fulfilling your needs. In the last nine years, I have visited the northeast 60 times and the BJP has brought Delhi to the doorsteps of the people of the region,” the Prime Minister said, underlining his party’s commitment to building a “marvellous Mizoram”.

“During one of my earlier visits to Mizoram, I had promised to work for transformation by transportation. Since then, a revolution has happened across sectors due to the work of the BJP-led government,” Modi said.

He cited the example of more than Rs 8,500 crore invested in a broad gauge railway project connecting Bairabi near the Assam-Mizoram border to Sairang, about 18 km from State capital Aizawl; the increase in the length of national highways in the northeast from 11,000 km in 2014 to 16,000 km in 2022-23, and Rs 500 crore sanctioned for urban development under the Aizawl Smart City project.

The Prime Minister said the NDA government had helped about 4.5 lakh people in Mizoram get free treatment across 100 hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and 1.7 lakh farmers received amount directly into their bank accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

“When infrastructure improves, it helps trade, talent, and tourism, brings investment, industry, and income growth, and creates opportunities for our young friends in Mizoram. The BJP is committed to creating a marvellous Mizoram. I am sure we will get your support and blessings to make it happen,” the Prime Minister said.

Kharge, meanwhile sought to remind the voters that Rajiv Gandhi had signed the historic Mizo accord in 1986 and secured statehood in 1987. “Successive Congress governments have ensured peace, stability, tribal culture, identity and secularism in Mizoram,” he said. The RSS, he said, was “hell-bent on destroying your culture, values, religion and the Mizo way of life. The Modi government wants to take your land and forests and gift that to their crony friends.” 

In Chhattisgarh, the last day of campaigning for 20 seats, that include 12 seats of tribal belt of Bastar, saw the Congress releasing its manifesto and the Prime Minister making a temple run. Modi visited Dongargarh, a popular pilgrimage spot in Rajnandagon district.

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Raman Singh is contesting the Rajnandagon seat for a fourth time in a row. Modi also paid a visit to Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Majharaj at Chandragiri Jain Mandir. From BJP president J.P. Nadda to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Smriti Irani were deployed in the 20 poll-bound Assembly segments in the State.

Nadda addressed the “Vijay Sankalp” rally in the Masturi Assembly segment, reiterating his party’s pitch for a “double engine” government and hitting out at the ruling Congress, saying re-electing them would mean “guarantee of loot”. Irani participated in the party’s bike rally in Bastar and was also seen preparing tea for party workers in Kondagaon, Bastar, as the last-minute outreach to the voters. Addressing a public meeting in the Konta Assembly constituency, Mr. Adityanath blamed the Congress for roping in the Naxals to kill BJP worker Ratan Dubey.

Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling Congress too held public meetings at different places across Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel addressed a public meeting in Rajnandgaon, while PCC president Deepak Baij held such meetings at different locations in the Bastar region.

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Mizoram Gears Up for Multi-Corner Assembly Showdown

Mizoram CM holds meet with Myanmar's Foreign Minister over situation (Twitter)

The grand old party won only five seats in 2018 assembly polls. The BJP, which has a lone member in the outgoing assembly, has decided to put up candidates in 23 seats….writes Sujit Chakraborty

A multi-corner contest would be held in November 7 elections to the 40-member Mizoram assembly elections with two local parties — the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), likely to play a key role in government formation.

The Congress, which ruled the mountainous state for many years alternatively since it became statehood in 1987 and was in power till 2018, when it was ousted by the MNF, would field candidates in all 40 seats. 

The grand old party won only five seats in 2018 assembly polls. The BJP, which has a lone member in the outgoing assembly, has decided to put up candidates in 23 seats.

The MNF and the ZPM already announced their candidates for all the 40 seats. 

Except the Congress there is no pre-poll alliance with any party. Though the MNF is a partner of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the two parties officially have no alliance in the Christian dominated state. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the convener of NEDA. 

The Congress has recently formed ‘Mizoram Secular Alliance’ (MSA) with two local parties — People’s Conference (PC) and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP). 

State unit Congress President Lalsawta said that the MSA was formed to unitedly fight against the BJP. 

The People’s Conference, which was founded by Padma Shri award winner late Brig T. Sailo, and ZNP are not fielding any candidates and the two parties would support the Congress nominees. 

Anticipating that a fractured mandate is likely to emerge in the next month’s poll, Mizoram state BJP President Vanlalhmuaka said that the party has no problem to forge a post-poll alliance with any other like minded parties except the Congress. Vanlalhmuaka will fight the election from Dampa assembly constituency. 

The saffron party had contested 39 seats in the 2018 elections and secured 8.50 per cent votes and one seat, opening its account for the first time in the Christian majority state though 33 of its candidates forfeited their deposits. 

In 2013, all 17 BJP candidates forfeited their deposits. 

The party’s lone legislator Buddha Dhan Chakma, who was elected to the state assembly from Tuichawng constituency, however, will not contest this time. 

Four defectors from the ruling MNF found places in the BJP candidate list, announced on Wednesday. 

Former Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo and former Minister K. Beichhua would contest from Mamit and Siaha constituencies respectively while former MNF advisor T. Lalenthanga would contest from West Tuipui seat and former Chief Executive Member of Chakma Autonomous District Council Durjya Dhan Chakma, has been fielded in the Chakma tribal majority Tuichawng constituency. 

All the four MNF leaders earlier this month joined the BJP, quieting their party. 

Of the 23 BJP candidates, four are women – Judy Zohmingliani (Tuivawl), F. Lalremsangi (Aizawl South-1), K. Vanlalruati (Serchhip), and R. Lalbiaktluangi (Lunglei West). Lalremsangi is the spokesperson of the BJP’s Mizoram state unit. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also announced candidates for four seats in Aizawl district. 

Another newly formed party, the Lalpa Chhiahlawh Intelkhawm (Association of God’s servants), headed by a retired pastor, announced that it would contest at least 18 seats. 

State Presidents of most of the political parties – Chief Minister Zoramthanga (MNF), Lalsawta (Congress), Lalduhoma (ZPM), Vanlalhmuaka (BJP) are contesting this election. Though the political parties are at loggerheads in the next month’s poll battle, they unitedly and separately urged the Election Commission to reschedule the vote counting day in Mizoram, where the counting of votes will take place on December 3 (Sunday). 

These parties, along with state’s largest NGO Young Mizo Association (YMA) and Church bodies have urged the poll panel to change the date of vote counting (December 3) as Sunday is a sacred day for Christians, and the entire day is devoted to church services across the state. 

According to the 2011 census, around 87 per cent of Mizoram population is Christian. 

The Election Commission is yet to respond to the demand of change of the counting date. 

After considering the representations from various political parties and social organisations for changing the polling date in Rajasthan in view of large scale wedding and social engagements on that day (November 23), the Election Commission changed the date of polling to November 25. 

The EC on October 9 announced the assembly election schedule for five states — Mizoram, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. 

The votes would be counted on December 3.

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Congress Unveils 39 Candidates for Mizoram Polls

Congress has fielded Lalsanglura Ralte from the Aizwal East-I constituency, currently held by Mizo National Front (MNF) president and CM Zoramthanga…reports Asian Lite News

The Congress party on Monday released a list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections.

Congress has fielded Lalsanglura Ralte from the Aizwal East-I constituency, currently held by Mizo National Front (MNF) president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

While Mizoram Congress Committee Chief Lalsawta has been fielded from Aizawl West-III (ST), Lalnunmawia Chuaungo has been given the party ticket from Aizawl North-I (ST).

Moreover, Lalrindika Ralte will contest from Hachhek (ST), Lalhmingthanga Sailo from Dampa (ST) and Lalrinmawia from Aizawl North-II.

The announcement came at a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the poll-bound state to campaign for party candidates.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi arrived on a two-day visit to Mizoram. Upon his arrival, Rahul Gandhi also took part in a Padyatra from Chanmari (Aizawl) to Raj Bhawan.

In a 40-member Mizoram assembly, Mizo National Front bagged 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 per cent to emerge victorious in the 2018 polls. Congress secured five seats and BJP won one seat.

Polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30. The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates.

The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year

Rahul Gandhi rides pillion

Embarking upon the day two of his visit to Mizoram, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met the former Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

The Congress MP rode a pillion on a two-wheeler to reach the residence of Thanhawla.

Earlier after taking part in a Padyatra from Chanmari (Aizawl) to Raj Bhawan, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Bharat Jodo Yatra celebrated the idea of India, where the diverse languages, religions, cultures and traditions of our country are respected and protected. The BJP destroyed that idea in Manipur. We will not allow them and MNF to do the same in Mizoram.”

After the arrival of Rahul Gandhi in Mizoram, the Congress party also released a list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections.

Congress has fielded Lalsanglura Ralte from the Aizwal East-I constituency, currently held by Mizo National Front (MNF) president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga. While Mizoram Congress Committee Chief Lalsawta has been fielded from Aizawl West-III (ST), Lalnunmawia Chuaungo has been given the party ticket from Aizawl North-I (ST). Moreover, Lalrindika Ralte will contest from Hachhek (ST), Lalhmingthanga Sailo from Dampa (ST) and Lalrinmawia from Aizawl North-II.

In a 40-member Mizoram assembly, Mizo National Front bagged 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 per cent to emerge victorious in the 2018 polls. Congress secured five seats and BJP won one seat.

Polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30. The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states.

Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates. The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year. (ANI)

GST Designed to Destroy SMEs: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Centre and said that the demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are designed for destroying small and medium businesses in the county.

While addressing people in Mizoram’s Aizawl on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said, “GST is designed to destroy small and medium businesses, it is designed to weaken farmers of India. All of you know what happened with demonetization, it was a ridiculous idea thought up by the Prime Minister of our country.”

“The economy still hasn’t recovered. If you want to understand PM’s strategy for developing India’s economy, it can be summed up in one word ‘Adani’. Everything is designed to help one businessman, so that is the state of the nation, ” he added.

Hitting out at PM Modi over the violence that hit Manipur, the Congress leader said that the BJP destroyed the idea of Manipur adding that it is no longer a single state, but two.

“Some months ago, I went to Manipur. The idea of Manipur has been destroyed by the BJP. It is no longer a state, but two states. People have been murdered, women have been molested and babies have been killed but the Prime Minister doesn’t find it important to travel there,” Rahul Gandhi said.

He further added, “My impression of Mizoram was formed when I was 16 years old when I came here with my father in 1986. The people of Mizoram are gentle, kind and affectionate.”

Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Mizoram starting on Monday.

Upon his arrival, the Congress leader also took part in a Padyatra from Chanmari (Aizawl) to Raj Bhawan.

Speaking to ANI, Congress spokesperson Mathew Antony said,” It was a long-awaited visit of Rahul Gandhi to Mizoram. Mizoram has fond memories of the visit of his father Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. People are sharing their excitement over his (Rahul Gandhi) visit. Another significance of this visit is he is carrying out a Bharat Jodo Yatra at a time when there is polarization and the country is divided on ethnic issues.”

On the election preparations for the upcoming Assembly polls in Mizoram, Antony said, “We are hopeful that we will form the government. Tomorrow he (Rahul Gandhi) will meet the party leaders and will address a public gathering. The announcement for the party candidates can be expected anytime from now.”

In a 40-member Mizoram assembly, Mizo National Front bagged 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 per cent to emerge victorious in the 2018 polls. Congress secured five seats and BJP won one seat.

Polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30. The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates. The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year. (ANI)

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African swine fever reappears Mizoram

The highly contagious African Swine Fever (ASF), which created havoc last year in Mizoram killing over 33,000 pigs, has reappeared in a few districts of the bordering state, officials said…reports Asian Lite News

Officials of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (AH & Vety) Department said that fresh pig deaths due to ASF were reported recently in some villages of Champhai and other districts.

“We have asked the department officials to send daily reports of a fresh ASF outbreak to the directorate in Aizawl. After getting the details of all affected districts, the exact number of pig deaths would be known,” an official of the AH & Vety department said.

Chief Secretary Renu Sharma has called an urgent meeting on Wednesday to review the situation and to finalise the strategies to prevent the further spread of the infectious disease. The extremely contagious ASF was first detected in Lungsen village in Lunglei district in March last year and subsequently, it has spread to all the 11 districts claiming the lives of 33,417 pigs affecting over 10,000 families causing financial loss of Rs 61 crore.

Around 11,000 pigs were culled last year and compensation for culled pigs amounting around to Rs 12 crore was sought from the Central government.

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Officials said that though since December last year ASF related pig death was not reported but of late fresh cases surfaced.

According to experts, the outbreak of ASF may have been caused by pigs or pork imported from neighbouring Myanmar, Bangladesh and the adjoining states of northeast.

The northeast region’s annual pork business is worth around Rs 8,000-10,000 crore, with Assam being the largest supplier. Pork is one of the most common and popular meats consumed by the tribals and non-tribals in the region.

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Mizoram Covid cases breach 1L mark, central team studying situation

1,01,327 people so far tested positive for the Covid-19 and 336 people succumbed to the disease with the mountainous state’s recovery rate is 84.80 per cent against the national average of 97.94 per cent….reports Asian Lite News

The tiny northeastern state, Mizoram on Wednesday crossed the one lakh-mark of Covid cases with 1,471 people testing positive for the virus even as a four-member multi disciplinary central team is now studying the alarming positivity rate of 15.36 per cent, health officials said on Wednesday.

According to the health officials, 1,01,327 people so far tested positive for the Covid-19 and 336 people succumbed to the disease with the mountainous state’s recovery rate is 84.80 per cent against the national average of 97.94 per cent.

However, according to the Union Health Ministry data, against the national average of 1.33 per cent, Mizoram’s Covid fatality rate is 0.33 per cent, lowest among all states in the country.

With only 11 lakh population, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, the northeastern state on Wednesday evening had 15,006 active cases, while 85,925 men and women have been recovered of the infectious disease so far.

Mizoram health officials said that the state for the past more than one month has been undertaking mass testing of people mainly through the Rapid Antigen method and might be due to this, the number of positive cases have gone alarmingly high.

The mass testing is being done in each small habitation and locality in collaboration with the local task force and health workers. Of the state’s 11 districts, Aizawl has registered the highest number of cases at 64,289 besides recording 250 deaths, followed by Lunglei (7,577 cases, 19 deaths), Kolasib (7,177 cases, 24 deaths) and Khawzawl is the only district where no death has been reported though 630 people have tested positive there so far.

Health officials said that the central team, headed by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) consultant-epidemiologist, Dr Vinita Gupta, arrived in Aizawl on Tuesday and held a virtual review meeting with the chief medical officers of all the 11 districts on Wednesday.

The team would visit some districts bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The officials said that the state-level expert team on Covid-19 management, which was formed on September 23 headed by F. Lallianhlira, who is also principal director of state health department, has suggested to give more focus on the symptomatic patients, people with high risk factors including pregnant women, elderly people and those with comorbid status to check high mortality rate.

The Mizoram government with effect from Sunday has issued new Covid-19 guidelines with fresh relaxations to ease economic and other activities in Aizawl Municipality Corporation (AMC) area and other parts of the state.

The new guidelines allowed the re-opening of churches in Covid-19 hit AMC area and other parts of the state twice a week — Sunday and Saturday — during daytime with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Churches in les affected areas outside the AMC vicinity have been already re-opened since August 22.

According to the new order, most educational institutions would continue to remain shut in the AMC area but training institutes would be allowed to function with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Most educational institutions and Anganwadi centres are functioning in the Covid free areas since August 15.

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NIA takes over probe on explosives recovery in Mizoram

The agency will be probing the motive behind smuggling of explosive powder, detonators and other war-like stores…reports Asian Lite News.

Amid the land dispute on the Mizoram-Assam border, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the recovery of 3,000 detonators from Champai district in Mizoram by Assam Rifles.

The Union Home Ministry had transferred the case from Mizoram Police to the country’s premier anti-terror probing agency on July 28.

The agency will be probing the motive behind smuggling of explosive powder, detonators and other war-like stores.

The agency will also look into the role of international banned groups engaged in pumping these explosives into India through the porous border of Mizoram.

Assam Rifles had recovered the explosives in Mizoram on June 21.

Back then, Assam Rifles had said in a statement, “Based on specific intelligence, the Serchhip Battalion of Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Spear Corps, apprehended two individuals and recovered 1.3104 tonnes of Class II CAT -ZZ explosive powder, Safety 2000 mtrs fuze, 925 electric detonators, 3000 special detonators and other war-like stores near Farkawn in Mizoram.”

The force further stated that the apprehended individuals along with the recovered items were handed over to the Dungtalang police station for further investigation.

The operation was carried out by the Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles, under the Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) in the Farkawn road track junction area in Mizoram.

Sources in local police stated that smuggling is a major concern in Mizoram, which shares a long border with Myanmar.

The cops have stated that prima facie, it seems that Class II CAT -ZZ explosive powder, Safety 2000 mtrs fuze, electric detonators and special detonators were smuggled in from Myanmar.

Mizoram, earlier referred to as Lushai Hill, shares borders with three states of Tripura, Assam and Manipur, besides sharing a 722-km border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

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Assam asks residents not to visit Mizoram

The advisory said that there have been several cases of violent skirmishes in the Assam-Mizoram border area, including recently in Assam’s Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts bordering Mizoram…reports Asian Lite News.

In wake of the bloody border clash on Monday and subsequent developments, the Assam government on Thursday asked its citizens not to visit Mizoram and those staying in the neighbouring state to maintain utmost caution.

The unprecedented travel advisory, issued by Commissioner and Secretary, Home and Political, M.S. Manivannan said that given the critical prevailing situation, the people of Assam are advised not to travel to Mizoram as any threat to their personal safety cannot be accepted.

“People of Assam, staying in Mizoram due to work related compulsion, should exercise utmost caution,” it said.

The advisory said that there have been several cases of violent skirmishes in the Assam-Mizoram border area, including recently in Assam’s Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts bordering Mizoram.

Assam-Mizoram border row turns violent, CMs seeks Centre’s intervention

Noting that Cachar on Monday saw indiscriminate firing on the police personnel as well as civilians, claiming the lives of six policemen and leaving scores of police personnel and civilians seriously injured, it said: “Even after this incident, certain Mizo civil society, students, and youth organisations are constantly issuing provocative statements against the state of Assam and its people.

“It has been reliably learnt from video footage available with Assam Police, that many civilians are heavily armed with automatic weapons etc. In view of the above and with the purpose of ensuring safety and security, this travel advisory was issued to all the people of Assam,” it said.

Assam Police to probe role of Mizoram MP

An Assam Police team, including CID officers, is going to Delhi to probe Mizoram’s Rajya Sabha member K. Vanlalvena’s alleged role in the Monday’s violence along the inter-state border, which left six Assam cops dead, officials said on Thursday.

A senior Assam Police official said that the decision to question Vanlalvena was taken following his “controversial interview to the electronic media in which he allegedly has warned the Assam police with objectionable words”.

Vanlalvena said: “I do not have any comment now. I have not received any official information.”

The most violent clashes along the Assam-Mizoram border left six Assam Police personnel dead and around 100 civilians and security personnel of the two neighbouring states injured, including an Inspector General of Police in Assam and Cachar Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chandrakant Nimbalkar.

Assam Police’s Special Director General G.P. Singh, in a tweet, said: “Assam police team including officers of CID are leaving for Delhi to take lawful action relating to conspiracy behind the incident in light of media interviews of Rajya Sabha MP Sri K Vanlalvena indicative of his active role in conspiracy.”

In another tweet, he said that a case has been registered at the Dholai police station in Cachar district in the killing of Assam Police personnel, under various provisions of Indian Penal Code, and the Arms Act besides Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

An Assam Police spokesman said that a “picture gallery” of Mizoram Police personnel and civilian miscreants who fired at Assam Police has been prepared, and is being further updated.

“They would be brought to law,” he said, adding that the state also announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of the individuals involved in the “barbaric killing of the Assam Police” personnel.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has transferred Hailakandi Superintendent of Police Ramandeep Kaur to Cachar as incumbent Nimbalkar, who had sustained serious injuries in the Monday’s firing and clashes, has been airlifted to Mumbai. IPS officer Gaurav Upadhyay has been posted as new SP of Hailakandi.

An uneasy calm now prevails on the border areas where the Central Reserve Police Force and Assam and Mizoram Police have been posted.

The Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Assam and Mizoram met Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday in Delhi to discuss the prevailing situation, and it was decided to deploy “neutral” Central Armed Police Force, headed by a senior CAPF officer, along National Highway 306 to keep peace along the border”.

The Mizoram Chief Secretary also complained of the problems faced by the state due to the “economic blockade” by Assam and the destruction of railway tracks leading to the state’s lone rail head at Bairabi.

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