Mizoram Election Update: Nov 8

Mizo church body imposes tighter poll code in state

The Assembly elections in Mizoram are being held under the strict guidelines of the widely-influential Mizoram People’s Forum, an election watchdog controlled by the synod, the largest Church body in Mizoram.

The forum has formulated 27 rules for the political parties and candidates. No candidate can organise political meetings without the forum’s permission. One of the rules advises political parties to compile an election manifesto, which can be implemented, instead of making empty promises.

So strong is the all-pervasive control of the synod on the state, which will elect a 40-member Assembly on November 25, that even the Opposition parties, who feel that the forum is soft on the ruling Congress party, don’t have the confidence to file a complaint with the synod or the administrative authorities.

The forum has warned that if any political party violates any of the 27 rules, they will risk being “invalidated.” The EC is supportive of the forum. Asked about the pro-active role of the church body, Mizoram’s chief electoral officer Ashwani Kumar said in Aizawl, “The Election Commission’s and the MPF’s aims are similar — to ensure free and fair elections.”

Security beefed up at borders of poll-bound Mizoram

Security has been tightened along the unfenced 64-km-long border near the tri-junction of Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh in the state's Mamit district ahead of the November 25 Assembly polls, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashwani Kumar today said.

Kumar told PTI that patrolling by Central para-military force personnel has been intensified in the area as the Bangladesh and Tripura sides were frequently used by north east insurgents for crimes like abductions and extortion.

Mizoram Election Update: Nov 7

Lal Thanhawla to face tough contest in Mizoram Assembly polls

Serchhip constituency in Mizoram's central district of Serchhip would be one of the most interesting seats in the coming elections to the 40-member state Assembly to be held on November 25.

Four-time Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who would be contesting from the seat, would be facing a tough contest from C Lalramzauva, an advocate and common nominee of the Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA).

Lal Thanhawla had contested and won six times from this seat and lost only once in 1998 to a retired engineer K Thangzuala of the Mizo National Front (MNF).

This time, MDA, the three-party alliance of the MNF, the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) is trying to repeat the 1998 debacle of the Chief Minister.

In 2008, Lalramzauva, who contested the polls from Serchhip constituency on a Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) ticket, lost to Lal Thanhawla by a margin of 952 votes and by a margin of 1399 votes in 2003.

Lal Thanhawla would also contest from Hrangturzo constituency in Sechhip district, which was being occupied by Lalthansanga of the MPC, now a common candidate of the MDA.

Another interesting seat would be the East Tuipui in Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district where former chief minister Zoramthanga of the opposition MNF was pitted against a retired senior bureaucrat T Sangkunga of the ruling Congress.

Till recently, Sangkunga was the president of the powerful central committee of the Young Mizo AssociationP C Zoram SanglianaLalchamliana (YMA), the apex Mizo body.

Zoramthanga, the two-time chief minister and former underground leader, had contested and won from this seat in 1998 and vacated the seat in favour of his close aide K Vanlalauva as he also won from Champhai seat, his home turf.

A battle royal is exptected in Kolasib seat along the Assam border district of Kolasib where the ZNP chief Lalduhawma was pitted against state transport minister and Congress nominee Young Mizo AssociationP C Zoram SanglianaLalchamliana and former Speaker Young Mizo AssociationP C Zoram SanglianaLalchamliana of the MDA. 

Mizoram’s third woman candidate

B Sangkhumi, a former head of Mizoram's apex women's body Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), is set to contest as an independent from Champhai South constituency. The wife of former adviser to then chief minister Zoramthanga of the MNF, Sangkhumi is among only three women who will contest in the November 25 Mizoram Assembly elections, where female voters outnumber males.

15 years on, looking once again for a reason to shave

Upset at not finding a ready market for ginger, a farmer in Mizoram's Sialhawk village has not shaved for 15 years after pledging not to do so until the Zoram Nationalist Party, led by former MP Lalduhawma, comes to power.

Biakvela, 63, was once a local unit leader and staunch supporter of the Mizo National Front, which ruled Mizoram between 1998 and 2008.

"I had hoped my old party would buy the ginger from farmers like us but it did not take up any such policy," Biakvela says. "In a fit of rage, I turned in my party seal and books and joined the ZNP, which promised to frame such a policy for farmers. Soon afterward, Lalduhawma welcomed me into the party with a small ceremony just outside my house, where I pledged I would not shave until the party comes to power."

It has been a long wait since then because the ZNP, formed by former IPS officer Lalduhawma after he left both the Congress and the MNF, is a small party, the only active one in the state that is yet to form a government although its chief has been ahead in opinion polls asking people about their most preferred CM candidate.

Though the most pre-poll noise appears to be emanating from the ZNP this time and most Mizo youths appear to be leaning towards the underdog in state politics, the party's reach can be gauged from the fact that many of its candidates — some of whom are bureaucrats, academics and Christian youth leaders with good reputations — are political rookies, some of them given tickets the same day they joined the party.

A recent photo of Biakvela with Lalduhawma's arm around his shoulder was flashed by ZNP leader Rothuama Sailo on Facebook recently, and the farmer suddenly found himself famous although many comments on the site have poked fun.

"Rothuama put the picture, which was taken when Lalduhawma came to Khawhai sub-town during a recent campaign trip, on Facebook. I have seen some of the comments. Some are saying I will never shave my beard because the ZNP will never come to power, some are saying I will have to wait for many more years while some say I will shave this year," Biakvela says.

He admits he has been taunted a lot by fellow-villagers, friends and family.

"I made a pledge and, well, a pledge should not be broken. So every time I get taunted I just scratch my head and say, well, maybe this year is the year God ordains as the year I shave," he says, laughing over the phone.

Biakvela has over the years risen in the ZNP ranks, and he is currently one of two vice-presidents of the party's block unit in the southern part of Tuichang constituency, represented by Mizoram's controversial health minister Lalrinliana Sailo.

With his party still having never tasted power, however, he remains a farmer although he admits he is too old to grow ginger, one of Mizoram's most important crops, and usually fishes in ponds using a net.

His ginger crop anyway rotted two years ago after he was unable to find a market for it, and he was unable to plant any more due to his age and also because he could not find seeds even in the forests.

His son, Lalthlamuana, is a carpenter who owns a small furniture shop in Champhai town, the district headquarters. He has promised his father he will close down his shop, come home and plant ginger in their farm once again if the ZNP, which promises to buy farm produce through a robust policy, comes to power.

Candidates named for Mizoram polls

All parties in Mizoram have announced their candidates for the elections to the 40-member state assembly to be held on November 25.

All parties in Mizoram have announced their candidates for the elections to the 40-member state assembly to be held on November 25. The ruling Congress is contesting from all 40 seats while the main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), is contesting from 31 seats with its pre-poll allies the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) contesting eight and one seats, respectively.

Fully prepared for Mizoram Assembly polls on Nov 25: Chief Election Commissioner

V S Sampath says 94 of the1,126 polling stations are critical and special measures have been taken to keep a watch on them

The Election Commission is fully prepared for the upcoming polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly scheduled for November 25, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said here today.

100 % updated photo electoral rolls and 100 % Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) by the state election department was highly commendable, Sampath told reporters.

He said 94 of the1,126 polling stations are critical and special measures have been taken to keep a watch on them.

"Security has been tightened and beefed up in these critical areas and along the border areas with Myanmar, Bangladesh and neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura," he said, adding quick response teams and flying squads would be deployed with executive magistrates in these areas.

During the meetings which the EC held yesterday and today, it was decided that damaged roads due to heavy rains in many places, specially in the southern districts, should be repaired on war-footing, the CEC said.

Alternate communication network for interior villages where mobile network is absent would be arranged, he said, adding concerned officials have been instructed to take strict action to curb flow of illicit liquor to prevent electoral malpractices.

Sampath also urged the voters to come out in large numbers on the day of polling.

Officials told PTI that coordination with the Assam Rifles in areas along the Manipur border and security along the 64 km long un-fenced border near tri-junction of Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh in Mamit district was also discussed with the EC during the meeting attended by Chief Secretary Ms L Tochhong, DGP and other senior officials today.

CEC Sampath, Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi and top officials of the EC, who arrived in Aizawl yesterday returned to Delhi today.

Mizoram Creates History By Issuing 100 pc EPIC

By Linda Chhakchhuak
Aizawl, Nov 7 : Mizoram has created history by being the only State in the country to have completed the process of issuing Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to 100 per cent voters.

“Mizoram’s electoral track record is the envy of every other State”, said the Election Commission of India in a poll-preparedness review Press conference here today.

The Commission members arrived here yesterday and left this morning. Commending the office of the State Chief Electoral Officer for this singular achievement, the full Election Commission of India, represented by VS Sampath, HS Brahma and Dr Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi said that this will go a long way in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections. The EC called on the people of the State to create more history by “making this an unprecedented election in participation.”

The Election Commission of India was on a visit to review the poll preparedness of the State and held meetings with the State officials including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police.

The ECI was, however, concerned with the poor road conditions to the polling stations which could hamper poll participation and shadow areas of communication. Sampath said that he had asked that these areas be given connectivity and the bad roads repaired on a war footing.

Another first in election history is that the ECI opened its doors to civil society organisations in its poll preparedness review meetings.

“The EC meets political parties for reviews but for the first time we met civil society organisations (CSOs) giving them equal time. This is a new experience for us. We record our special appreciation of the State CSOs for promoting ethics, values of free and fair elections and working for higher participation of voters,” said Sampath. He said that State Election officials have been instructed to work in tandem with them.

Mizoram would also be pioneering the use of Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in the general elections, said Sampath. It will be used in 10 Assembly constituencies in the Aizawl urban areas.

Five Cops Killed in GNLA Ambush in Meghalaya

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

‘Retaliation attack’ comes within 36 hours of killing of 7 villagers

Guwahati, Nov 7 : Five policemen were killed and their arms snatched away when a group of heavily armed militants belonging to the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) ambushed them in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya Tuesday. The incident occurred less than 36 hours of the same rebel group gunning down seven innocent villagers in the adjoining Goalpara district in Assam. Meghalaya DGP Peter James Pynrope Hanaman, who confirmed that the militants belonged to the GNLA, described it as an act of retaliation of the rebels against the ongoing operations against them.

"It is definitely a retaliatory attack by the GNLA in view of the operations that the security forces have launched against them in the past few days. But I must admit there was some degree of complacency on the part of the policemen killed in the attack," DGP Hanaman told The Indian Express over the telephone from Shillong.

The police vehicle was on its way from Baghmara police station in South Garo Hills district to Tura (in West Garo Hills district) to bring an accused when it came under heavy fire at Bangjakona near Kapasipara, the DGP said. The incident occurred in the hilly area at around 11 am.

While all the five police personnel including the driver were killed on the spot before they could retaliate, the militants also snatched away their weapons that included three AK-series rifles and one carbine, the DGP said.

The victims have been identified as havaldar Dondiram Marak and constables Rakki Sangma, Lekichyne Ryngklem, Bipul Rabha and Marshanstar Nongdhar.

Security forces meanwhile have launched a massive operation in the area, but no breakthrough was made till late Tuesday evening. "The militant outfit has been in a disarray due to intensified operations by security forces in the past few months, and today's ambush was in retaliation to these operations," the DGP said.

Meanwhile, the police and security forces have also intensified operations along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Goalpara and adjoining districts of the Garo Hills in view of Sunday's attack by suspected GNLA militants in a village on the Assam side leaving seven persons dead.

Battle of Imphal: A Forgotten Story

Indian National Army Memorial Complex, Moirang

Joanna Lobo

A new tour service in Manipur revisits the forgotten Battle of Imphal through its historical sites.

The year was 1944. A battle was raging across Manipur, with the British-led Allies defending themselves against the Japanese invasion. The ultimate defeat of the Japanese at Imphal and Kohima, halted their progress to Delhi and proved to be a turning point in the Burma Campaign in World War II. For Japan, this loss marked the end of its invincible era and imperialist ambitions.

The battle of Imphal, which will complete 70 years next year, and the battle of Kohima, were recently voted “Britain’s Greatest Battles” in a contest run by Britain’s National Army Museum. And yet many Indians are unaware of these battles, which involved soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA). To change this, Eastern Heritage Trails (EHT), founded by Hemant Singh Katoch and his friends, introduced the Battle of Imphal and four other tours. “It is a half or full- day tour that takes you to all the important sites in and around Imphal that are related to the Battle,” shares Katoch.

The Victoria Cross Tour takes you to the battlefields where five Victoria Crosses (the highest British military award for bravery) were won in Manipur, and includes stories of the men who displayed outstanding courage. It ends with a visit to the graves of two Victoria Cross recipients in Second World War.


Govindajee Temple in Kangla Fort Complex

The Imphal Walk goes through Mapal Kangjeibung, the world’s oldest polo ground where the game is still played.

Pottery seller at KhwairambandKeithel_Ima Mothers Market

Khwairamband Keithel or Ima Market, one of Asia’s largest markets run entirely by women; the Kangla Fort, seat of an ancient Manipuri kingdom for 2000 years; and the lanes of Paona Bazaar.
Loktak freshwater lake

The Tiddim Road Tour visits the only Japanese War Memorial in India, battlefields such as Ningthoukhong’s where two Victoria Crosses were awarded in June 1944; Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in north east India; Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world, and INA’s only Memorial Complex in the world at Moirang.
Ranjit Moirangthem Nungshigum_WW2battlefield near Imphal

The Battle of Imphal Tour is a half-day excursion that covers a Second World War-era airfield (Koirengei or Imphal Main), two war cemeteries, a battlefield (Nunshigum) and the colonial-era Slim Cottage, which was once the headquarters of the British 14th Army in charge of operations in Burma.
War Cemetery on the Battle of Imphal Tour

The Shenam Saddle Tour treats people to trenches and spectacular views from Saddle, a series of hills, between the villages of Shenam (Sinam) and Tengnoupal, along the road on which British forces had established defensive positions to prevent the Japanese from advancing towards the Imphal Valley.
Also included are the Kakching Garden and a visit to the Khongjom War Memorial.

Katoch, previously a project manager in a research organization, is the only guide and has permanently moved to Manipur from Delhi.

He researched about Manipur and the battle for years, poring over dozens of books related to the state, and visited all the places to see their current condition. The research made him realise the enormity of the war and inspired him to start the tour. He says, “It seemed like the right time to put a spotlight on it, and a heritage tour in Imphal has enormous advantages because the battle was mostly in the countryside and the hills still look the same. Trees maybe fewer and one may sight the odd mobile phone tower, but the sites are largely untouched.”

EHT has conducted nine Battle of Imphal tours, for 50 people, including a man whose brother fought in Kohima and an old Japanese man who was knowledgeable about their side of the war.

Katoch plans to encourage and train more locals to carry out the tours. At present, Leishangthem Chengleinganba Meetei, pursuing Masters in History, takes people for the Imphal Walks.

If you know of someone linked to the battle, Katoch will try and “retrace their steps.”

India Must Develop its Northeast States

By  Tridivesh Singh Maini

As the BJP and Congress campaign for the 2014 elections in India, what is clearly missing from both party’s platforms is an agenda for the North-East.

This is evidenced by the fact that the current attention of both political parties is heavily focused on four states heading for assembly polls: Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. While the results of the Delhi election will preview national sentiment, the other three states are important from the point of view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Rajasthan is an especially important battlefield – a victory in the assembly election there tends to translate into a national victory. A triumph for the BJP in the state could lead to a massive gain in the Lok Sabha elections.

Mizoram, the fifth state soon to hold elections, receives little attention from politicians or the media.

This lack of attention given to the politics of the North-East is nothing new or unusual. While regional satraps elsewhere are given prominence, three-time Chief Ministers (CM) from the North-East, such as Tarun Gogoi of Assam, or Manik Sarkar of Tripura, do not receive similar coverage for their successive triumphs. Even bomb blasts or terrorist attacks in the region receive scarce coverage –– a perfect example being the recent blast in Imphal, not far from the Manipur Chief Minister’s office.

One of the key reasons for not giving the North-East a high priority, many argue, is the fact that it only sends 24 Members of Parlament to the Lok Sabha, out of which Assam alone sends 14. A perfect illustration of political numbers making the difference is the fact that Mamata Banerjee, Chair of the Trinamool Congress and CM of West Bengal, receives much more coverage for her strong stand on issues like the Teesta agreement and the land agreement, while Sarkar, who has been keen to play a constructive role in improving ties with Bangladesh, seldom gets any focus.

In economic terms too, the North-East has not been able to perform desirably. This is due to the security challenges plaguing the region as well as its neglect by the national leadership.

The government of India has tried to ensure that the North-East gets its due and for this purpose set up the Ministry for the Development of The North-Eastern region (DONER). Despite this, precious little has been done to actually give the region its due, in spite of its strategic location, abundance of natural resources and great sporting potential. Incidentally, with the region producing more and more sports personalities, like Gold-winning Olympian Mary Kom, things are beginning to change.

It is time, that both national parties changed this attitude. Both Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi need to hold more campaign rallies in the North-East and spell out their visions for the region. Modi, who is trying to emerge as an alternative to the existing establishment, could actually send a very positive signal by giving priority to a region where his party is not particularly strong. While Modi and his party often comment on security issues plaguing the North-East, and the weak approach of the central government towards Chinese incursions there, they rarely address the development issue head-on. Addressing these challenges in terms of India’s Look-East Policy may be beneficial as well.
Even Rahul Gandhi, who talks about inclusive growth and uplifting neglected sections of society, would do well to speak about the North-East.

Apart from the BJP and Congress, it is also the duty of the CMs of relatively powerful Eastern states like Orissa and West Bengal, who have been speaking of forming an Eastern club, to incorporate the agendas of North-Eastern states. The North-Eastern states in return should also form a similar group of their own so that they can pressurize the central government to address the region more robustly.

It is time that New Delhi stopped pointing fingers at outside forces for the problems in the North-East. It is time to look within, and a good start would be some serious debates between the two national parties on their respective visions for the North-East.

Tridivesh Singh Maini is a New Delhi based columnist

Mizoram: Opposition MDA names common candidates for upcoming Assembly polls

Mizo National Front (MNF) chief Zoramthanga announced on Monday that he would contest from from the Tuipui seat for the November 25 assembly election.

The MDA comprises the MNF, Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF). Zoramthanga, former Mizoram chief minister would contest from the Mizoram-Myanmar border East Tuipui seat in Champhai district, MDA sources said.

He would be pitted against the ruling Congress nominee - T Sangkunga, former president of the powerful central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA).

Mizoram: Opposition MDA names common candidates for upcoming Assembly polls Mizoram: Opposition MDA names common candidates for upcoming Assembly polls Senior Vice President of the MNF Tawnluia would contest from Aizawl South - III seat while Vice President of the party R Tlanghmingthanga would be pitted against the Congress sitting legislator Lt Col Z S Zuala in the prestigious Aizawl South-II seat.

Other prominent contestants included former Lok Sabha member H Lallungmuana who would contest from Tuichang constituency against the Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo. Lalhmangaiha Sailo, President of the MPC and son of former chief minister Brig Thenphunga Sailo would be contesting from Aizawl East - I while another MPC top leader and former Speaker Kenneth Chawngliana is contesting from Tuirial seat and former Deputy Speaker Vanlalhlana is contesting from Aizawl North - I seat.

Mizoram Merchants Burns AMC Regulations

Aizawl, Nov 4 : In a protest to overhaul and amend the Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) Licensing Regulations, 2012, the Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA) has burned the copy of AMC Licensing Regulations, 2012 at New Market (Sobji Bazar), Aizawl blaming the regulation as not having the provision for protection of 'Mizo nation' and that it can harm the security of Mizo tribes in general and Mizo merchants in particular with the possibility of being assimilated them by the non-Mizo merchants.

The AMC Licensing Regulations that was drafted by AMC and published recently in Mizoram Gazette mentions several guidelines for the establishment of commercial shops in Mizoram.

In FORM No.1 the particulars to be filled up by the applicant is mentioned as 1.Name of Applicant, 2.Name of Shop/Farm, 3.Name of Trade, 4.Location, 5.Proprietor/Private Ltd., 6.Residential Address, 7.Phone No., 8.Mobile No., 9.Email ID, 10.Tin No.(if any), 11.CST No.(if any), 12.PAN No.(if any), 13.Whether premises owned / leased?, 14.Details of business, 15.Date of establishment (if any).

And list of the documents to be attached with application form are 1.NOC from the house/land owner where the business is intended to be run, 2.NOC from Local Council (where the business is intended to be run), 3.EPIC, 4.Residential Certificate, 5.Two (2) copies of passport size photos, 6.License/ Registration Certificate from Licensing Authority,H&FW Dept.,(for selling eatable items),7.Receipt of Application Form from AMC .

Terming it as dominantly dangerous rules or Tiger law(dan sakei), the AMC Licensing Regulations received a severe criticism from MIMA as it does not lay down either special provision for restriction of non permanent Mizoram residents or protection of Mizo merchants.

Criticizing the regulations, PC Laldinthara, president MIMA said the Non-Mizo merchant of course may not apply for business or shop establish at once, but the legislations can apprehensively proved dangerous in the long run as it can bring the economically and educationally poor Mizo people under domination by economically and logically civilized plain people (Non-Mizo) .

He said that all the requisite documents as demanded by AMC for the application of business establishment are no doubt can be easily obtain by every applicant and as far as EPIC is concerned, all Indian citizen who has attained the minimum required aged can get it with ease.

As regard Residential certificate, the president also said that the residential certificate of any Indian state is applicable and valid as the regulation does not clearly indicate the demand of 'Permanent Residential Certificate' only in Mizoram.

According to P.C Laldinthara the leaders of AMC and MIMA had already discussed over the regulations for four times in which MIMA asked the leaders of AMC to include provision for the protection of permanent residents or 'sons of soil' by making the possession of Permanent Residential Certificate (Mizoram) and ILP that is continuously renewed 4/5 times as mandatory.

The leaders of AMC however, turned down the request of MIMA and accordingly the demand for Permanent Residential Certificate(Mizoram) and ILP was unfortunately not included in the amendments(2013) .

"As such we do not find any relevant of safeguarding or protection of Mizo nation with the regulations," the president added.

"Since the regulations made by AMC specifically indicated 'Trade License' by stating clearly in it clause -Regulation 2(M) that 'LICENSE' issued by the Aizawl Municipality Council for the purpose of trade and Regulation-3 'the authority to issue license in respect of trade and business shall be the chairman of Aizawl Municipal Council, if once issued to non-Mizo, it is not cancellable by the authority of Aizawl Municipal Council," said PC Laldinthara adding incase the licensee go to the Court for renewal, the Court must surely direct the authority to renew the license as existed in the Supreme Court ruling.

It is also worth mentioning that in Article 14,19 (g), 301 and 304 of Indian constitution it is apparent that this Licensing Regulation can greatly harm the security of the permanent settler(sons of soil) and keep them in a precarious state, the MIMA president said.