A Triangular Battle For A Lone Mizoram Seat

By Himanshu Kapoor

With a lone Lok Sabha seat, the General Elections in Mizoram would be a triangular one. After the withdrawal of candidature by Independent candidate Vanlalngaia, only three candidates are in the fray. The ruling Indian National Congress has fielded sitting MP CL Ruala and United Democratic Front, an alliance of eight opposition parties, has fielded Robert Romawia Royte, while the newly floated and contesting election in the state for the first time Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given ticket to a retired IAS officer M Lalmanzuala.

The Congress party bagged the lone seat in the 2009 LS polls and also in the recently concluded assembly elections in the state the results were in favour of the incumbent Congress after it was mauled in other four major states. However, that significant win few months back for the INC cannot for be foreseen as sure shot victory in the small state of Mizoram.

  There is also no Modi wave in the state for the Congress party to worry about and the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate’s lack of attention to Mizoram highlights how unrepresentative the BJP is. Modi, who has been attacking the Congress and wooing the electorate in other northeast states in his rallies didn’t even hold a single public meeting in Mizoram.

In this scenario the advent of the Aam Aadmi Party (Party of the Common Man), launched only six months ago, is very important. The newly formed party garnered more than 33 percent of the votes in Delhi and in LS polls in Mizoram it can as a spoiler for the Congress. But AAP’s recent criticism will put skepticism in people’s mind.

Also the candidate chosen by the AAP is yet to prove himself. Retired IAS officer Lalmanzuala had unsuccessfully contested the state assembly polls in 2008 as an Independent from Aizawl North-I seat. Despite an anti-Congress wave in the country over the corruption issues, the party’s Ruala has an image of being a clean politician and is also the poorest among the three candidates in the fray, with Rs 5 lakh in hand.

Election Commission's decision to allow tribal refugees in Tripura's relief camps to cast their votes through postal ballots for the lone Lok Sabha seat from Mizoram saw protests against it. The protesters, led by the Young Mizo Association (YMA) members demanded the poll panel to revoke its decision.

Even Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had urged Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath to not allow the tribal refugees, living in seven relief camps, to exercise their franchise in deciding the fate of the state’s Lok Sabha seat.

Now with existence of the Aam Aadmi Party in the state and only one seat up for grabs, the elections in Mizoram are not predicative. Though the scales are leaning towards Congress who fresh off the victory might retain the lone seat.

Meghalaya takes to the skies to create poll awareness

Election commission ropes in famous singers and sportspersons

By Archisman Dinda

• Image Credit: Archisman Dinda/Gulf News
• The Election Commission has organised kite flying to encourage voters to cast their franchise.

Guwahati: The election department of Meghalaya is banking on music and kites — the two favourite pastimes of the people of the region — to create awareness among voters, especially first-time voters, to encourage them to exercise their franchise.

In the 2009 general elections, the state witnessed a low voter turnout of just 64 per cent which the department wants to change and is adopting various innovative ways, P. Naik, Chief Election Officer of Meghalaya, said.

“This time we are hoping that music and kites do the trick for us. We are also doing on door–to-door campaigns to ensure higher voter turnout,” said Naik.

With the slogans “Your Vote Counts”, “India needs you to vote” engraved on them, colourful kites of various shapes and designs swerved in the clouds as a large crowd gathered to take part in the competition at the Golf club in the scenic city of Shillong.

Kites fitted with lights were also spotted in the evening sky as part of the “1001 lights” programme to spread awareness among voters on the importance of exercising their franchise when the state goes to the polls on April 9 to elect its two representatives from Tura and Shillong parliamentary constituencies.

“Kite flying is very popular in the state. Hence we thought of using the medium to reach out to the people and encourage them to vote,” said Sanjay Goyal, the polling officer of the constituency. “We will organise many such programmes in the run-up to polling day so that people understand the value of their vote,” said Goyal. The state poll panel is hoping for a 20 per cent rise in voting.

The state poll panel has also roped in famous singers, bands and sports persons to spread awareness. Nationally famed choir group Shillong Chamber Choir, popular singer Headingson Ryntathiang, along with former world champion karate kid Linza F, Syiem, sensational boxer Torak Kharpran and local designer Tatania Momin are among those who are appealing to the people, especially the youth, to vote.

A music video by the choir titled “Just one”, which features the state’s artistes and sport stars, has already become an instant hit with the young voters of Meghalaya.

“We are indeed privileged to be a part of the campaign. It is our duty to vote and if we are able to encourage people in the state to vote, we will be performing the duty every Indian must do,” said Neil Nongkynrih, founder of the choir.

 

 

Meghalaya is a state in north-east India. The name means “abode of clouds” in Sanskrit.

 

Capital: Shillong, a popular hill station, is known as the “Scotland of the East”

 

Area: 22,429 sq km

 

Chief Minister: Mukul Sangma (Indian National Congress)

 

Parliamentary constituencies: 2 - Shillong and Tura

 

The main political parties of the state are Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National People’s Party (NPP).

 

Key political personalities: Mukul Sangma

 

Purno Sangma, Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998 and Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990

 

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee says Money envelopes ‘unknowingly’ given to journalists

APCC clarifies that envelopes containing money were meant to be distributed to committee staff

Itanagar, Mar 31 : After a section of Arunachal Pradesh’s media accused Congress of trying to bribe media, the APCC on Sunday said envelopes containing money were “unknowingly” handed over to few journalists.

Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist (APUWJ) lodged a complaint with Chief Electoral Office (CEO) against Congress on Saturday accusing it of violating model code of conduct by trying to bribe media.

In a letter addressed to the CEO, APCC stated that “a few envelopes containing some amount intended to be disbursed to APCC staff’s over time payment received from the party’s accountant, were unknowingly handed over to few journalists”.

APC and APUWJ had in the complaint claimed that APCC violated the MCC by distributing envelopes containing some cash to media persons after the release of party’s manifesto at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on March 27.

Meanwhile, People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) on Sunday urged the CEO to take appropriate legal action against Congress.

Claiming that Congress and BJP in the state have chartered choppers to be used in election campaigning, PPA urged the CEO to keep strict vigil at airfields and landing grounds and conduct thorough checking of luggage to stop illegal movement of ‘cash or kind’ involving any contesting candidate or his agents.

The party said those choppers might be used for illegal movement of cash for the purpose of buying votes during the campaign.

A pledge to be the ‘different’ One

By ZODIN SANGA

Robert Romawia Royte

Aizawl, Mar 27 : Government employee-turned-successful entrepreneur Robert Romawia Royte, Independent candidate for Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha seat, has promised that if he ever gets elected to Parliament, he would be a “different” MP.

Accusing the previous MPs from Mizoram of not doing enough to draw funds from the Centre, Royte said he would do “more than utilise the MP local area development funds”.

“There is a huge amount of funds at the Centre, which can be obtained for development in Mizoram,” Royte said.

“If, without being an MP, I could get sanctions for over Rs 1,500 crore for Meghalaya and Nagaland out of their annual plans in a few years, how could I not do the same and much more for Mizoram if I am an MP?” he asked.

Royte, the CMD of Northeast Consultancy Services — a private firm he floated a few years ago — was referring to the services he rendered as a consultant to the governments of Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Royte, 47, is the nominee of the United Democratic Front (UDF), an alliance of eight Opposition parties — Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC), BJP, NCP, Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) and Hmar People’s Convention (HPC).

He is contesting as an Independent against sitting MP C.L. Ruala, re-nominated by the Congress, and retired IAS officer M. Lalmanzuala, fielded by the Aam Aadmi Party.

“With the Congress ruling in the state and the BJP-led NDA likely to form the next government at the Centre, it is the best for Mizoram to have an Independent MP,” Royte said.

He claimed intellectual groups in Mizoram and neutral voters share his view.

On the complaint submitted to the returning officer against him by the Congress, Royte clarified that no corruption case has been registered against him.

“When I asked the Anti-Corruption Bureau, I was told that a complaint had been filed some years ago and a preliminary inquiry had been made but the bureau found no reason to register a case. When I asked the state governments of Nagaland and Meghalaya, they told me I had been given awards (for the commendable services)”.

Before floating his own firm, Royte had worked under the Mizoram government’s education department, holding different posts from a school headmaster to circle education officer to Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan state project director.

Royte claimed that during his government services he did not receive a single rupee as bribe and this is the secret of his happiness.

Non-development of northeast forcing people to migrate to other cities in India

By Bolla Alekhya

Yet another attack on people from north-east in the Capital, where a couple from northeast state of Manipur were beaten up allegedly by their landlord's son and his associates. This is not the only incident of violence against northeast people, if we just look at this year's record, there are already three other incidents where they were thrashed. The incidents were Nido Taniam murder case, molestation of a girl from Manipur and assault on a student from Manipur.

Why do people North-East India are continuously discriminated in the national capital that should be ideally the safest place for anyone to live.

Northeast is an area which has a huge scope of development, but still severely lagging behind the rest of the country. Because of that people from various states in north east migrate to other metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Banglore for better opportunities. But then they have to face discrimination. Is it only because northeastern people have different facial appearance from rest the country?

Professor Mohammad Shafiq from Jamia Millia Islamia while talking about the state of economic development in the northeastern states said that there was a huge scope of development.

“In northeastern states there is poor roadways development and no railways linkage. If we go into the analysis, then two-third production of hydro electricity in India is with Northeast. The low currents in Bramhaputra are very much suitable for production of hydro electricity in India. But in spite of this Government of India fails to invest any capital into these regions, which hampers their economic development.”

Because of this kind of negligence by the government the people from these states feels deprived and some of them even want to join China, but the question is what the majority feels?

We spoke to Brigadier Arun Bajpai, an ex-Indian Army official, and he explained us about the problems which India might face if China occupies Arunachal Pradesh.

“China is claiming that 90,000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh, as its own, which is not true. They basically want to trade Arunachal Pradesh with Aksai Chin (administered by the China), which is a very important gateway for China as it connects China to other parts of the world. And moreover the range of Himalayas with 62 passages are also important for them. Till the time these things are with India they can't do anything. But once they get Arunachal Pradesh then they will roll down on us,” said Bajpai .

The Northeastern people are also Indian citizens, and many of the army personals from these states are serving the nation. 72% peoples voted during election, this is the only thing which proves that they love India like citizen from rest of the country loves nation, and will always be happy to be a part of India.

Can't promise on Naga settlement: Rahul Gandhi

By Xavier Rutsa

KOHIMA: Speaking on the Indo-Naga peace process at a rally in Kohima on Thursday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said, unlike Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, he did not want to promise something that he could not fulfill.

"I am not like your chief minister. I do not like to make promises in the air," he added.

Rahul came to Kohima to campaign for K V Pusa, Congress's candidate for Nagaland's lone Lok Sabha seat.

Taking a potshot at Rio for having claimed that he would bring about a solution to the Naga political problem within three months during the 2003 assembly election in the state, Rahul said, "Unlike your CM, I cannot promise to bring about a political settlement within three months after returning to power."

He added, "The UPA government has taken a bold decision by inviting NSCN for talks."

However, Rahul also added, "I promise that I will do all that I can to bring about an early resolution of this problem. I will help the state of Nagaland, but I cannot promise to solve the problem in exactly three months."

"I am trying to bring peace and harmony to the state," Rahul said to a roaring crowd who clapped energetically after every statement he made.

Addressing the problem of communication in the region, Rahul said connectivity was one of the biggest problems the state faced time and again. If the Congress-led UPA returned to power, the government at the Centre would focus on improving roads and infrastructure development for better rail and air connectivity, he said.

The party was committed to creating 100 million jobs in the country in the next five years, Rahul added.

He said Nagaland was one of the few states in India that was actually moving backwards.

"Normally, a car has four gears - first, second, third and fourth gear. But the Nagaland government has put the state into reverse gear. This is definitely not good for the people of Nagaland," he added.

Instead of making empty promises, the CM should ensure that Nagaland progressed at top speed, he said, adding that the growth rate of Nagaland had slumped from 8.3 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

Rahul told the gathering that in the last 17 months, the Centre had paid Rs 300 crore for building roads in Nagaland, but not a single road had been constructed in the state till date.

"Now the DAN government wants to revise the estimated rate by two-and-half times, thereby not only driving the car in the reverse gear but also failing to build a road in the first place," he pointed out.

On his first visit to the state, Rahul said he was happy to have come to Nagaland and seen its beautiful people. The attire they wear signified the glorious aspects of Naga history, he said, adding that he respected the culture and tradition of the Nagas.

"To make our country really great, we first need to respect each other's culture and I believe in your history and culture," Rahul added.

He mentioned that some Naga students, who had met him in Delhi, had told him that 70,000 youths were unemployed in Nagaland.

He then said Nido Tania was killed by a small group of people who did not understand and respect the culture of the northeast and stated that the ideology of Congress was to spread love, peace and brotherhood. He added that people from the northeast had the right to feel safe and comfortable whenever they went. Nagas and other northeasterners should not feel alienated and should be able to live fearlessly in any part of the country, Rahul added.

He also announced that he would be the "special representative" of the region's people in Delhi and asked them to contact him anytime as his door would always be kept open for them.

Field of Menhirs Promises To Shed New Light on History of Mizos

By Adam Halliday

Aizawl, Mar 27 : Mizoram has made an entry into India’s archaeological map. In a first, the Ministry of Culture has declared a 9,000 sq m area dotted with several caves, and more than a hundred menhirs embossed with figures of humans, animals and weapons as an ancient site of national importance.

Some 170 menhirs, each at least as tall as a man, stand at the site at Champhai district’s Vangchhia village, which lies on the bank of the Tiau river that separates India and Myanmar.

Villagers call the site “Kawtchhuah Ropui” (The Great Gateway) and have protected these monuments for years in spite of not being sure what they represent or how they came to be there.

The Mizoram chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) along with the state’s Art & Culture Separtment has been studying the menhirs, seeking help from the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) in interpreting the embossing.

There has been no significant breakthrough yet, either in reading the carvings or in understanding why the menhirs are there.

The ministry’s notification declares the menhirs, as well as the ground on which they stand, the surrounding caves and forest as protected.

INTACH is hopeful that studies on the menhirs and the figures on them will shed more light on the history of the Mizos, much of which was never documented. The community followed an unwritten, oral tradition until a script was developed a little over a century ago.

Menhirs with similar images have also been found in parts of eastern Mizoram including at Chawngtlai village near Khawzawl town and, according to Mizo historian B Lalthangliana, in the Chin Hills of Myanmar.

NE couple thrashed for defying Munirka curfew

By Jayashree Nandi

New Delhi, Mar 27 : A couple was beaten up allegedly by their landlord's son and some goons in Munirka on Tuesday for trying to step out of their rented house at 9.30pm. The landlord, who likes to lock the main gate of the house early, was reportedly angry with the couple from Manipur when they asked for the keys. He allegedly called in youths from the neighbourhood to intimidate the victims.

Mercy, who was carrying her 10-day-old baby, alleged that a woman hit her with a broom and some goons pushed her. Her husband, Thangminlian, a jawan posted in J&K, claimed to have been hit with rods, prompting a fight-back.

Thangminlian was taken to hospital by youths from the northeast. He has injuries on the hands and back. Mercy had come to Delhi for her delivery. Her mother, Heneng, has a small garment business in Munirka. Thangminlian had also taken leave for a month to tend his wife. Mercy was with her baby girl and a four-year-old son on Tuesday, when they decided to visit a relative who also lives in Munirka. "When we asked for the keys, the landlord and a stranger asked us why we didn't go out during the day. It's been less than a month since we moved in, but they have always looked down on us," said Mercy who belongs to Churachandpur, Manipur.

Thangminlian, who was discharged on Wednesday, has been recuperating at a relative's house. "Being in the Army, I interact with soldiers from different communities all the time. I think we are not welcome here," said the enfeebled Thangminlian.

Rosemary, at whose house the couple was recuperating, said discrimination and racist comments were common.

When the youths attacked Thangminlian, his son, Siamboi, ran to his grandmother's house. She tried to shield her son-in-law. The couple is planning to leave Delhi soon. When TOI visited the couple's one-room house in Munirka, there were bloodstains on the wall, floor and bed. "We have arrested seven people, including the landlord and his son," said a senior cop of the south district. He added that a case of assault and sections of the SC/ST Act have been slapped on them.