Mizoram’s Lengpui Airport Comes Under CISF Protection

Aizawl, April 24, 2025, Virthli(ONP): In a significant step towards strengthening aviation security in the Northeast, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was formally inducted at Lengpui Airport today, marking the beginning of its security operations at Mizoram’s only domestic airport.

The induction ceremony was presided over by Shri Anil Shukla, IPS, Director General of Police, Mizoram. During the event, the CISF flag was officially handed over to the Chief Airport Security Officer (CASO) at Lengpui, symbolizing the transfer of security responsibilities to the CISF.

An initial deployment of 121 CISF personnel, led by a Deputy Commandant, has been assigned to the airport. This number is expected to gradually increase to the sanctioned strength of 214 personnel, replacing the existing joint security setup comprising the Mizoram Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which had been in place since 1999.

With this deployment, Lengpui Airport becomes the 69th airport in the country to be brought under the security cover of the CISF. Notably, this also marks the establishment of the first CISF unit in the state of Mizoram. The Force brings with it extensive experience in civil aviation security, having specialized in the sector for over 25 years.

The move is part of the Government of India’s broader strategy to enhance security across the nation’s civil aviation infrastructure. In addition to managing routine security operations, CISF personnel will work in coordination with local authorities and stakeholders to implement upgraded, passenger-friendly security protocols designed to combat evolving threats such as terrorism, smuggling, and other illegal activities.

Following this deployment, CISF now has an operational presence in every Indian state and union territory, except Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep.

The induction ceremony saw the presence of several senior officials including Shri Vijay Prakash, IPS, Inspector General, CISF/APS-I HQr, New Delhi; Shri Deepak Verma, Deputy Inspector General, AP (E&NE) HQr, Kolkata; Smt. Meenu Chowdhary, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Mizoram; Shri C. Lalzahngoa, IPS, SP Security, Mizoram Police; Shri Rohan Botre, IPS, Joint Deputy Director, SIB; Shri Lalrohlua, Director of Aviation, Mizoram; and Shri Pu Saidenga, Airport Director, Lengpui. 

Also in attendance were Shri Pranav Kumar, Commandant, CISF; Shri Harish Singh Nayal, Deputy Commandant, CISF; representatives from the Airport Wing (GAD), CRPF, Airport Authority of India, and officials from Indigo, Alliance Air, IOC, BPCL, AIASL, AIESL, and the Meteorological Department, among others.

The event marked a milestone for civil aviation security in Mizoram, paving the way for enhanced safety and passenger confidence at Lengpui Airport.

Image Courtesy: DIPR Mizoram

F. Vanlalrochana's ''Hun Inher Kara Zofate'' Named MAL Book of the Year 2024

Aizawl, April 21, 2025, Virthli(ONP): The Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) has selected "Hun Inher Kara Zofate", written by F. Vanlalrochana, as the MAL Book of the Year 2024. The selection was made from among 215 Mizo language books published in 2024.

As part of its annual literary recognition process, MAL shortlisted the top 20, then narrowed it down to the top 10, and finally to the top 3, before announcing the winner.

The official award presentation for the Book of the Year 2024 will be held on April 23, 2025, during the MAL Foundation Day celebration at the I&PR Auditorium, Aizawl.

Mizoram CM Unveils Prof. RL Thanmawia’s New Book on Chhura Folktales

Aizawl, April 21, 2025, Virthli (ONP): Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma today officially launched the book "Chhura Thawnthu (Hnam Hrang Hrangte Sawi Dan)" authored by Padma Shri awardee Prof. RL Thanmawia at a special event held at the Assembly House Conference Hall.

In his address, the Chief Minister praised Prof. Thanmawia’s literary contributions, noting that his books have long served as valuable academic resources from high school to university level. Acknowledging the author’s distinguished career, he highlighted that Prof. Thanmawia has been conferred with several honors, including the Padma Shri by the Government of India, as well as the Mizoram Academy Award, Literary Award, and Pu Buanga Award.

Speaking about the new book, the Chief Minister emphasized its cultural and historical significance. “Although the story of Chhura has been widely known, compiling the various interpretations and narratives from different Mizo sub-tribes into a single volume was not an easy task. However, this collective documentation enriches our understanding of our shared heritage,” he said.

He dded that Chhura’s tales remind the Mizo people of their unity despite ethnic and linguistic diversities. “Even though we may now reside across three nations, and our borders may divide us, our identity remains intact,” the Chief Minister remarked. “Chhura has educated and guided us across generations.”

He further called for continued cooperation between the government and the public in preserving and promoting Mizo cultural identity, adding that a new generation of cultural leaders is being prepared to carry forward this mission.

Prof. RL Thanmawia, in his speech, shared that among the 37 books he has published so far, this one stands out due to its uniqueness and depth. He noted that unlike other folktales that are often generalized, Chhura stories exist in at least sixteen different ethnic variants, offering a rich tapestry of Mizo cultural expressions. “With God’s grace, we must continue documenting and preserving these stories,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to all contributors and supporters of the book.

The book launch was accompanied by a critical review presented by Dr. H. Laldinmawia, Chairman of the Chhura Committee. PC Lalnunmawii, a research scholar, gave a presentation titled “Chhura Hla Hril”. Students from PUC’s BA IV Semester performed Chhura songs, and F. Vanlalrochana offered a note of thanks. The event concluded with a benediction from Rev. VL Luaia Hranleh, Sr. Executive Secretary of the Mizoram Synod.

Tripura-Mizoram Gas Pipeline Project Reviewed by Mizoram Minister at Mamit

Mamit, April 7, 2025 (Virthli ONP): Mizoram's Minister for Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Land Revenue & Settlement, Pu B. Lalchhanzova, convened a crucial meeting today at the DC Conference Hall in Mamit to review the progress of the Tripura-Mizoram gas pipeline project. The meeting was attended by representatives from Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) and Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL), the companies responsible for executing the project.

The pipeline aims to transport natural gas from Panisagar in Tripura to various locations in Mizoram via a 104-kilometer pipeline, of which approximately 100 kilometers will pass through Mamit District. The project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2027, and as of now, 23.148 kilometers of the pipeline have already been laid.

In his address, Pu Lalchhanzova emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth and efficient implementation of the project, noting that as citizens who will benefit from this initiative, it is imperative to support its progress. He stressed that the pipeline, made from high-quality materials, will ensure safe and reliable gas delivery to households, helping reduce costs and contributing to sustainable development.

He further mentioned that due to Mizoram’s hilly terrain, meticulous planning and execution are essential. The gas supply system will operate through electric-powered distribution within individual households, and public assurance on safety and affordability is a top priority.

To monitor and ensure the project's success, the Minister proposed regular review meetings involving the Mamit District Administration, the FCS&CA, the Commerce & Industries Department, and other stakeholders including the PWD, to tackle any challenges arising during pipeline construction.

The gas pipeline initiative, originally launched in Tripura in 1990, is now being expanded into Mizoram. IGGL is tasked with the pipeline construction, while TNGCL will handle connections within Mizoram households.

Today's meeting included detailed presentations from both IGGL and TNGCL on the ongoing work and upcoming phases of the project. Discussions also took place with various government officials and technical personnel.

The review session was chaired by Pu K. Laltlawmlova, District Deputy Commissioner, and was attended by the FCS&CA Secretary and Director, SP Mamit, and other officials from both government departments and the companies involved.

Following the meeting, Minister Lalchhanzova visited the ongoing pipeline work site in South Mamit, and also met with staff at the Land & Revenue Department and the Food & Civil Supplies Office to discuss further coordination and support for the project.

Mizoram ah Zu zawr tan a nih

Aizawl, 16th March, 2015: State sawrkarin a lo tum lawk le puonglang ta angin vawisun March ni 16, 2015 a inthawk khan zu zawr phalna dan thar- MLPC Act, 2015 hmangin Mizoram ah ‘zu' zawr ṭan a nia. A hmasatakna di’n zu dawr (wine shop) hi hmun 3- Millennium Center, Vaivakawn le Chaltlang Lily Veng, Aizawl ah hawng dinga ruohmang nisienkhawm khawtlang ṭhuoitu le Kohranhai dodalna leiin Millennium Center a chau vawisun khan zing dar 11 ânthawka zantieng dar 5 chen hawng a nih.

Hi bâka hin Millennium Center, Aizawl ah zu dawr pahni hawng bel a ni ding le hmun dang danga hai khawm hawng vat a ni ding thu State Excise and Narcotics Dy. Commissioner, Ngurchungnunga chun chanchinbumihai a hril.

Sawrkar ruohmangna angin zu hi Assam neka man tlawm lema zawr tum a ni a. Royal Stag (umkhat) chu Rs. 330 a zawr niin Imperial Blue (umkhat) chu Rs. 240 a zawr a ni bawk.
State sawrkarin a tum dan chun zu ânthawk hin export le excise duty lang a ta chun VAT khawm la bawk a tih.

Zu hi mina zawng kawlah zawrsuok a ninawa, Liquor card neitu (puitling kum 21 chungtieng) hai kuomah chau zawrsuok a nih.

Zu dawrhai hi Thawṭanni ânthawka Zirtawpni chen hawng ni’ng an ta, Inrinni, Pathienni le National Holiday hai chu dry days annileiin hawng ni naw nih ti’n Dy. Commissioner chun a hril bawk.
Vawisun zu zawr ṭan a ni le inruol hin Mizorama selkaltu pawlhai chun Congress sawrkar an dem hle a, MNF President Pu Zoramthanga chun zu zawr chu Pathien khawmin a pawm a ring naw thu hrilin “March ni 16 chu Mizoram ta dinga sietna le lungaina ni a nih”, a tih.

Rev Chuauthuama khawmin vawisun khan zu zawr ditnaw zie in entirna’n a chengna in ah flag dum tarin, “Mizoram mipui a tamlem ditnaw a ni leiin Black day angin ka ngai a nih”, a ti bawk.

(Henry L Khawzawl,Virthli)

“A ṬUL CHUN MANIPUR RAM SUNGAH LA LUT PEI KAN TIH” - R. LALZIRLIANA

Aizawl, 29 April, 2014: Mizoram Home Minister ni lai mek R. Lalzirliana chun a ṭul a ni phawt chun Manipur ram sungah Mizoram police hai an la lut pei ding thu chanchinbumihai kuoamah a hril.

April ni 29 a, New Secretariat Complex a chanchinthar thedartuhai a pawlna-ah tulai hnaia Manipur ram sunga Hmar unauhai chengna khuo pakhat Lungthulien ah Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) hai an lûtrûk ti Mizorama chanchinbu thenkhatin an tarlang chu thudik a ni le ninaw chanchinbumihai zawhna a dawnlêtna ah Home Minister chun ‘’MAP hai chu an lût ngeia, a ṭul a ni phawt chun helpawl (Mizoram hmelhma)umna khuo chu kan la thlawk pei ding a nih’’, a tih. “ A ram a cheng mipuihaiin an ditnaw zie thu press statement siemin lam hrawna hai chen an houihawta, sienkhawm a ṭul chun kan la lut pei ding a nih’’, tiin chanchinthar thedartuhai a hril bawk.

MAP ha’n Mizoram state puotienga operation an nei chu dan kal an ni am? ti indawnna a hrilfiena-ah Zoremmawia, DIG chun India ram khawlai hmuna khawm helpawl thenkhatin buoina state pakhat lakah an siem chun dân ang takin ‘Hot operation’ hnuoiah bawzui (pursue) thei an nih ti thu a hrila. “MAP hai chu ‘hot operation’ angin Lungthulien, Manipur ah an lût a nih” ti hrilin an thilthaw chu dân kal a ni naw thu DIG chun chanchinbumihai a hril.

April 29 chawhnung dar 1 khan New Secretariat Complex, Khatla, Aizawl-ah Home Minister Lalzirliana’n Press conference koin, Finance Minister Lalsawta, Paliamentary Secretary K. Rinthanga, Zoremmawia, DIG, Zorammuana, AIG le MLA ṭhenkhatin an tawiawm a nih.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla chungchang hrillin, Home Minister chun Mizoram Chief Minister dinhmun chu a derthawng hle niin a hrila. “EVM suk chingpen (rig) leia Chief Minister ni thei chaua intumna le opposition party thuoitu ha’n nasataka thukhela mipui lakah suk hming suksiet tuma an beina lei chun Chief Minister hringnun chu a derthawng hle a. Hnam pa ti a hrietlâr Mahatma Gandhi le Abraham Lincoln hai anga that ve el nuom pawl um ngei an tih”, tiin chanchinbumihai a hril. Fimkhur thil thuah Chief Minister venghimtu ding security personnel khawm duongthat an nih, tiin a hril bawk.

A hril peina ah Zira chun tulai Mizoram politics chu an hnawk hle a nih a ti a. Law and Order tiengah harsatna siema, sinthaw hlei theilo a sawrkar siem hrim hrim hi opposition party hai thil tum anga inlang chu a nih a tih. “EVM suk chingpena intuma opposition parties le mithenkhatin CM suk hmingsieta a lal thungpha a inthawka pei tlak an tumna chu ‘police efficiency’ le dan le thupek hratna lei chun an thlawl a nih’, HM chun a tih.

SOURCES: Henry L Khojol Hmar

MIZORAM PUM HUOP TOTAL BANDH KHAUH TAKA NEI A NIH; ELECTION BOYCOTT NAW EL THEI

Aizawl, April 7,2014: Darkar 72 aw ding Mizoram pum huop Total Banh chu vawituk dar 5 khan khauh taka nei a ni a. Bandh duty NGOs member khawm Aizawl kawtthler hmuntin le lamlien a hai an tha hnem hle. Biekpaw thei chinah total bandh hi district headquarter dang dang a hai le thingtlang khaw thenkhat a khawm khau taka nei a nih. Hi lai zing hin Mizoram simtieng Lawngtlai le Saiha a hai chun Bandh hi nei a ni nawa, sawrkar office, college, school, dawr le bazar le office hrang hrang hai chu khailak um loin hawng a nih. Lawngtlai le Saiha ah Bandh hawihawt a ninawna san hi tlawmngai pawl CYLA le MTP hai thataka fiel le inhriettir an ninaw lei a nih. Chanchin dawng danin zing (Thawlenni) hin Lawngtlai le Saiha a khawm khau taka hawihawt ding ti a nih.

Mizoram-a tlawmngai pawl le student organizations (NGOs) -5 (YMA, MUP, MHIP, MZP le MSU) hai i hawihawt total bandh hin mipui tawiawmna(support) a dawng tha hle a. Security forces, chanchinbumi, Hospital staff le civil thenkhat damnaw in entir ti naw chu mihriem inlawn le suok an um naw bakah, motor inlawn hmu ding a um nawh. Election official hai khawm dang chat an ni a, motor tamtak election duty a fe dinghai chu dang niin, High field, Zarkawt-ah sienkhawm an nih.

Hi lai zing hin Election Commission of India (ECI) chun emergency meeting vawisun dar 10 khan ko in Mizoram NGO Co-Ordination committee chu tawngbau in bandh suk tawpa MP election chu Mizoram sawrkar rawtna angin April ni 15-a nei dingin a ngena. Tuikuk (rieng) chuchang hrilin ECI chun “dan ang taka iengkhawm buoina um lo a vote tlak a ni leiin vote hi tiem lo thei lo a nih” ti NGO Co-Ordination committee an hriettir a, sienkhawm hma tieng peiah Tuikuk hai Mizoram puotienga vote an tlak phal ni ta naw nih tiin tawng bauin a hril. NGO Co-Ordination committee in ECI chu tawngbau veka inhriettir in a ngenna chu a pawmnaw thu a hrila. “Kan thiltum chu Mizorama election boycott a ninaw a, Tuikuk vote I naw raw se ti a ni lem” tiin ECI a dawn.

ECI rawtna (proposal) chungchang ngaituo dingin zantieng dar 3 khan MUP Gen. Hqrs Office-ah NGO Co-Ordination committee, MP candidates le party awiawhai emergency meeting nei a ni a. Hi meeting a hin MP candidate 3 hai chu thlangtling an lo ni khawma Mizoram pumpuiah 50% neka tam vote a tla naw chun in ban (withdraw) nghal dinga intiemkamna (undertaking) in nei tir tum an ni a. Sienkhawm party candidate hai hin an ni thua thutlukna siem thei an ninaw leiin party leader-hai leh la hriltlanga chu zo ah chanchin lan hrepaw pei dingin NGO Co-Ordination committee an ngen. Political party hai hin total bandh hi Mizoram pumpuiah khauh taka nei thei a ninaw ding leiin, hmun thenkhat a hai vote tlak a ni chun ECI in a thawdan pangai angin vote tla ang ang chu a pawm tho ding ni a an hriet leiin NGO Co-Ordination committee chu election chawkbuoi lo hram dingin an ngen a. Hi le inzawm hin party tin chu vawi zan la la khan emergency meeting neiin, zan dar 9 hin NGO Co-Ordination committee hai leh meeting nei nawk ding ti a nih. Hi thu ziek a ni lai hin NGO Co-Ordination committee le political party meeting thusuok hi hriet a la ni nawh.

NGO Co-Ordination committee chun hmun tina NGO branch member hai chu duty dinga inthawsuok dingin an hriettir a, vawizan hin khawvar zakin duty an tum a nih.

~Henry L Khojol Hmar

Mizoram warns HPC-D against deterring polls

Aizawl: Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today issued a strongly-worded message to the Hmar People's Convention-Democratic in the wake of the outfit's threat that has forced the State Election Commission to extend the period of nominations till October 9.

Following "telephonic threats" from suspected HPC-D leaders, none filed nominations till 1500 hrs today, which was the last date for filing of papers for the elections to the 15 village councils under Aizawl and Kolasib districts rescheduled for October 18. This compelled the State Election Commission to extend the last date of filing papers till October 9, while the polling date remained unchanged.

The SEC had postponed the elections earlier scheduled for February 23 along with the rest of the state after the HPC-D served a diktat to the voters to vote only those candidates supported by the militant outfit. All the 15 villages fall under what is demanded by the HPC-D for Hmar autonomous district council. The Mizoram government conducted a flag march in the HPC-D area and also arrested the HPC-D chairman H Zosangbera and the outfit's "army chief" Lalropuia and "deputy army chief" Lalbiaknunga, which was believed to have disabled the small outfit.

The SEC rescheduled the elections for October 18. Appealing the HPC-D not to disturb the democratic process, the Home Minister in official statement today warned that the consequence could be declaration of the entire area as disturbed area in which the people would greatly suffer. (UNI)

German Football Coaching tips for Mizoram

~Arunava Chaudhuri

On their current trip to Mizoram, German coaching instructors Lutz Pfannenstiel and Felix Imm of the German Football Association (DFB), have stated that Mizoram can produce footballers of world class if the abundant talent among young footballers is properly harnessed, as the duo feel there was no reason why budding footballers from the Northeastern state cannot graduate to world standard players.

The coaches, who are in Aizawl to train local footballers and local coaches, were pretty impressed by the potential and high spirits of the young players.

“The potential is clearly visible in the spirited and entertaining game played by the young players," former goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel said.

Lal Thanzara, President of Mizoram Football Association had requested Rainer Schmiedchen, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kolkata, to provide good coaches for Mizoram, the Consul General promptly expressed keen interest in exploring football talent in the state and took initiative to bring German coach to the state back in May 2012.

The world goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel, who is the first footballer to have played professional football in all the six continents of our planet, said that for the past few days he and Felix Imm had been watching the local Mizo football keenly and concluded that the state has enough talent to make it to international standards.

The German duo is in the process of training local football coaches who will be participating in the upcoming Mizoram Premier League.

"We hope that some coaches may be inspired by what they learned during the training to try to find those same footballing truths for themselves and having found them, apply them to their own teams in Mizoram," said the German duo.

"The players need psychological, physical, moral, medical and sports support. This is how we do it back in Germany and there is no reason why we can’t do it in India or Mizoram," Lutz said at the press confidence.

"Our sincere thanks go to Lal Thanhawla, chief minister of Mizoram who paved the way for Mizoram Football Association to meet Consul General of Germany and our President Lal Thanzara, their efforts have paid off, not only for Mizoram, but also for India," said Lalnghinglova Hmar, Honorary Secretary of the Mizoram Football Association.



The coach education programme with the German coaches started on October 1 and runs until October 6 with 28 coaches from Mizoram attended the programme.

Source: http://arunfoot.blogspot.in

Sinlung Hills to be declared as disturbed areas?

Aizawl: Mizoram Home minister R Lalzirliana on friday warned that the north eastern parts of the state adjoining Manipur might be declared as 'disturbed area' if the Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention - Democrats militants continue to intimidate the people of the area and stalling the democratic processes.

Lalzirliana told media persons that the HPC-D militants intimidated the political parties and the people of the area under Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) instructing the political parties not to field candidates in the elections to the village councils, scheduled to be held on October 18 in 15 villages.

"If the militants continue their unlawful and violent activities, the area may have to be placed under the control of not only the state police but also the central para-military forces," he said.

Meanwhile, no nominations were filed till 3 pm yesterday, the last day of filing nominations for elections of members of village councils in 15 villages, prompting the state election commission to extend the last date of filing of nominations till October nine.

Elections to the 15 village councils within the SHDC was not held along with the rest of the village council polls on February 23 due to intimidation by the HPC-D militants and the state election recently made schedule for elections of these village councils on October 18.

~PTI

Mizoram: Polls to 15 villages to be deferred?

Aizawl: Mizoram State Election Commission is likely to defer the village council elections in 15 villages for the second time as no nominations were filed till 3 pm on Thursday, the last day for filing of nominations reportedly due to intimidation from Hmar insurgents.

Police said that political leaders of the 15 villages - 13 in Aizawl district and two villages in Kolasib district - were told not to file nominations for the village council polls scheduled to be held on October 18.

The HPC-D militants were at loggerheads with the state government and the top leaders of the outfit - its chairman H.  Zosangbera, 'army chief' Lalropuia and 'deputy army chief' Biaknunga were arrested by the state police and are remained in prison till date. The village council polls in the villages were not held along with the rest of the village councils on February 23, 2012 as the state election commission then felt that there would not be free and fair elections due to intimidation by the Hmar People's Convention - Democrats militants.
The HPC-D militants then threatened the voters that they should elect only those supported by the outfit.

Though the state election commission recently notified the date for election to these 15 villages, no one filed nominations forcing the commission, most likely, to defer the polls again.


PTI

Deprived Parbung look to Mizoram for solace

Imphal: DEPRIVED OF all the developmental works, the villagers of Parbung in Churachandpur district have cursed themselves for being under the government of Manipur and expressed their desire to be associated with the neighbouring state of Mizoram.

Parbung is a small village located at a distance of over 200 kms from New Lamka, Churachandpur along Tipaimukh road (NH 02).Bordering with Mizoram, the village is mainly dominated by Hmar tribe.

There are around 600 households in the village with growing paddy as their main livelihood.

Pouring out their hearts to this Reporter, villagers of Parbung said that "It is a curse to be under the Manipur Government.

If we had been under the administration of Mizoram Government, all development programmes including construction of roads, health centres, educational institutions, drinking water facilities and the likes would have been taken care of years back" .

Basic necessities like drinking water, electricity and excess to halth care services are still a distant dream in Parbung.

Most of the daily requirements of the people in this village are brought in from Mizoram, and this is due to deplorable condition of the road from Churachandpur to Parbung.

In the absence of electricity supply, the villagers have been relying upon their 'self bought' Solar plates.

At the time of organizing some community feasting or celebration, the village is lighted with the help of a generator.

However, on the other side of the border, the people of Mizoram are enjoying uninterrupted power supply throughout the night, much to the chagrin of Parbung villagers.

With less than 10 percent of the entire population getting the light of education, Parbung village still longs for educational institutions to be set up.

At present there is just one Anganwadi Centre and two missionary schools in the village.

Though a Community Health Care centre (CHCC) has been constructed in Parbung with 6 doctors, 4 grade-IV staffs, 1 ANM nurse, 2 senior nurses and two helpers, the CHCC still lacks sufficient medical equipments for providing necessary treatment to patients.

At the same time, the patients also face problems of insufficient supply of medicine.

When this reporter went to inspect the CHCC, a doctor, who was found performing his duty, informed that even though there are no medical equipments and tools to give treatment to the patients, he is doing his level best to give the best services to his patients.

However, shortage of medicines is one big problem encountered while extending health care services to the people of Parbung, the doctor hastened to add.

~Source: Hueiyen News Service / Halley Gurumayum (e-pao.net)

The Lunglei love story

~Sanjukta Sharma

The story behind the biggest ever Mizo film, a tale of star-crossed lovers, and its 38-year-old guerrilla film-maker

Filming in progress at Lunglei. Photographs by Mapuia Chawngthu

Until recently, Mapuia Chawngthu was just a wedding photographer of repute in the small town of Lunglei, Mizoram, where he lives. He had made two short films, in 2003 and 2010, but the town knew his church nuptial compositions better. Now, with his third film,Khawnglung Run—the biggest Mizo film ever made, with a budget ofRs.11 lakh—attracting audiences all over the state, he is a celebrity.

People curiously spot his lead actor, 24-year-old Alex Lalchhuankima, on the streets of the state capital Aizawl. “It has just gone beyond expectations!” the 38-year-old film-maker almost exclaims on the phone, before cautiously concealing his excitement. Our connection is interrupted frequently. It could be the heavily misty night there, he tells me in Hindi. Mizoram is a dominantly Catholic, English-speaking state. Chawngthu is among few who prefer Hindi over English if you’re not conversant with Duhlian, the local dialect.

Lunglei, which means “bridge of rock”, is 120km south of Aizawl. The bridge is an actual formation over a tributary of Tlwang, the river that flows through Mizoram.

Khawnglung Run is shot by the Tlwang, a river known to be ferocious downstream.

Chawngthu recreates the invasion of Khawnglung, once a prosperous village, in Lusei by the Pawi clan fro’m a neighbouring village in the 1800s. Khawnglung was surrounded by treacherous hills, with only one narrow way to enter it fro’m outside. Every night, seven men guarded this entrance. Once, during the annual Chancharkut festival, when men and women were lost in feasting and drinking, a large group of men fro’m the Pawi clan entered the village and kidnapped its residents, among them a young woman named Thangi (played by Zoremsangi Hnamte). Thangi was an upper-caste woman, being wooed by a young man fro’m the labour class named Chala (Lalchhuankima). Khawnglung Run is about Chala’s battle to rescue his love, which ends in a catastrophic chase on the Tlwang.

The film is shot on the Canon EOS 5D, a versatile camera used for films. Chawngthu has co-written, directed and shot it, with a crew of around 20. He edits at home, where he lives with his 61-year-old mother, on a Mac FCP post-production set-up.

[caption id="attachment_9770" align="alignleft" width="330"] Chawngthu with his home editing set-up[/caption]

Like all promotional trailers, the film’s first YouTube spot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K8J9CcpBrQ) with English subtitles, is a hurried glimpse of Chawngthu’s romantic gaze on his lustrous land. His storytelling is linear and simple, hitting shrill, melodramatic chords in some sequences. The performances show off amateur tricks. But as a film, the visual scheme of Khawnglung Run is much better realized than what Rs.11 lakh would allow in a conventional, multi-hierarchical set-up.

There are some wide, sweeping, poetic shots. The violence is visualized through age-old gimmicks, like red splurting on the camera lens, but the story’s bad-against-good canvas, on which the tragedy is based, is unmitigated. Its breathless pace and rhythm, and a haunting score by C. Lalruatkima, the lead singer of Mizoram’s Battle Cry Band, match its visual beauty—the camera doing wonders with the lilting backdrop of streaming water, slopes and bushes. Chawngthu’s language is pure and lyrical.

Khawnglung Run has been selected by the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, for screening there as an example of self-sufficient film-making. “I don’t see it releasing in a mainstream theatre anywhere, but I am sending it to a host of film festivals all over the world,” Chawngthu says.

“I have heard this story many times. It is supposed to have happened right around here. So I thought, since I have the real location, the same river, the same mountains, why not visualize it my way?” He says not much has changed in the topography of Khawnglung. “Back then we used to pray to the river and the hills. We didn’t have to go to church every day.” Mizoram’s Christian establishment is rigid. “Non-Christian ideas won’t go down very well,” Chawngthu says.

Ironically, the state does not have movie theatres. The few which came up after independence have been unused for almost two decades. So Khawnglung Run is being screened with projection facilities at auditorias across the state, with ticket prices varying fro’m Rs.30 in a village to Rs.200 at, say, a swank hall in Aizawl. “There is no film-making culture here, no industry. So the government does not think it’s necessary to revive the theatres. Bollywood also is not very big,” Chawngthu says. He says he has few idols fr’om the world of movies other than some popular Hollywood films he watched while in college in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Subir Bhaumik, a former BBC correspondent and former editor of the Seven Sisters Post, who has written on Mizoram, says: “The movie-viewing culture in Mizoram is family-centric. People like to watch fr’om home. And now there is a DVD explosion that makes it possible. Korean and Thai films are particularly popular even though there is a language problem.” Mizos are known for their penchant for music—many Mizo bands perform outside their state and the region—and like some other states fro’m the North-East, its musicians are schooled in Western genres. Singers Judith Lalremruati, Lalthuthaa, the Mizo Idol of 2011, Valentina Gangte, and writer Lalnunsanga are some of the state’s artistic icons. “Frankly, compared to the success of Mizo boys and girls in national competitive exams like civil services, the state does not have many public intellectuals or creative figures,” Bhaumik says. Incidentally, in the 2011 census, Mizoram’s literacy rate was 91.58%—it is India’s second most literate state after Kerala.

Lalchhuankima, the leading man of Khawnglung Run, has the screen presence of a teen hero, somehow charmingly at odds with his character’s theatrical intensity. He works with Bajaj Allianz in Aizawl; acting is a hobby. In 2010, a National School of Drama (NSD) workshop in Aizawl selected him for the lead role of a Mizo/Duhlian adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, which he later performed in Delhi at the NSD’s theatre festival. This is his first major film, he says in a phone interview, “After Khawnglung Run, which taught me a lot about my own culture and about film-making, I want to work in more films.” He is not yet comfortable with his new-found fame in Aizawl.

Lalchhuankima has grown up on local music bands, American pop and hip hop, and is a singer who was among the top 10 of Mizo Idol 2007. “I am very much into Western music. But my favourite actor is Shah Rukh Khan. I want to be an actor like him,” he says.

Chawngthu’s circumstances were dramatically different fro’m Lalchhuankima’s—and it’s not just because of the 14-year age difference between the two men. Chawngthu is a man of the soil who had left for bigger, better opportunities, but who returned to Lunglei and decided to realize his dream there. His father, Jay Prakash Tyagi, an Indian Army jawan—“a subedar major”—was transferred to an army cantonment at Lunglei in “the late 1960s”. Jay Prakash, the young man fro’m Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, fell in love with Baiktluangi, a local girl. They got married and lived in Lunglei for many years before moving back to Hapur in the 1980s.

Chawngthu went to college for about two years in Hapur and returned to Lunglei in 1994 when his father died. “Hindi is like my second language. My UP family is very close to me, so my film may as well have been in Hindi,” Chawngthu says.

He believes the mountains have at least two more stories for him. “After all, who gets to shoot in the location in which stories actually happened?”

Source: www.livemint.com

Sakawrdai-ah Legal Awareness Campaign

Sakawrdai, ‎24 August, 2012 (Henry L Hmar):  Sinlung Hills Joint Headquarters le Rural Resource Development Organisation thangkawp chun Sakawrdai-ah Legal Awareness Campaign huoihawt a nih.

Hi hun lawmum tak a hin Sinlung Hills Jt. Hqrs. Adviser Pu Thanglur chun thu hrilna a nei a, school naupang hung thang hai kuomah DAN hriet a pawimaw zie a hril bakah Nu le Pa, Khawtlang thuoitu le Council Member hai chen in an nau, an enkawl inchuklai hai chungah an mitthli a tla ta hlak am ti indawnna a siem el khel ah inchuklai hai chungah an lungril pe dingin ngenna a siem a. Chun, inchuklai hai hin TUMRUNA an nei phawt chun ni thei naw an nei nawh a, an tumna suk hlawtling dingin anni an pawimaw zie a hril sa bawk.

Hi hun a resource person hi Pu Lalngaihmawia Zote (1st class Magistrate) a ni a, naupang hai rights, nuhmei hai rights, Criminal case, RTI chungchang le a dang dang hai ngaithlak a ni khel ah discussion hun le indawnna le sangna hun hawng a ni bawk.

Hi programme mi suk hlawtling pektu Mizoram State Legal Services Authority chungah Sinlung Hills Jt. Hqrs chun lawmthu a hril mawl mawl a, chu laia hma latu Pu Ropuia MSLSA a mi chungah lawmthu a hril nawk zuol.

Hi hun a hin mi 200 chuong an hung thang thei lei khawm in Sinlung Hills Jt. Hqrs chun lawmthu a hril mawl mawl.

~Henry L Hmar

First big-budget Mizo movie an instant hit

Aizawl, Aug. 24: Mapuia Chawngthu’s long-anticipated film Khawnglung Run ((The plunder of Khawnglung) was released here yesterday to packed halls and community centres.

People here, who had been eagerly waiting for Chawngthu’s latest offering since he started the protect two years ago, thronged the film venues — community centres and halls (as there are no cinemas here). Tickets for the inaugural show at the Chanmari community hall sold out within half a day, while another venue, Vanapa hall, was virtually mobbed by viewers.

Being the first “big budget” (more than Rs 11 lakh) production in the Dulian dialect, the lingua Franca of the Mizos, the film was an instant hit, as evident from the applause reverberating in Vanapa hall at the end of the show.

Produced by Leitlang Pictures, Lunglei, the film tells the story of a star-crossed couple against the backdrop of petty feuds between the Pawi and a Lusei villagers in the late 1850s which led to the plunder of Khawnglung village by Pawi chiefs, marked as the bloodiest and cruellest attack in the entire history of the Mizos.

Khawnglung Run’s epic love angle, which has been kept alive through the ages by numerous versions of the story of Chala’s bleak search for the love of his life, Thangi, who had been carried off from the plundered village as a slave by one of the Pawi warriors, was more captivating for the viewers than anything else.



Singer Alex Lalchhuankima did his best to give a spirited rendition of Chala’s evolution from a boyish young Lusei hunter in a happy village to a desperate man hunting for his lost soul mate, while Zoremsangi Hnamte brought Thangi to life on screen with her beautiful earthy looks and her fine acting.

The film was set in a specially created village near the original Khawnglung village, 145km from the capital. The cast and crew spent around six months on the set shooting the film. As history goes, the entire village was burnt down and the people massacred. The set, too, was burnt down, providing the film some of its best shots against the eerie light of the fires and the dancing shadows, while portraying the harsh realities of tribal warfare in the 18th century as well as the nuances of honour and friendship in time of distress among the villagers.

The director told The Telegraph that his objective was to create interest in youngsters about their own history and culture, which he felt, he had achieved through the film.

Many non-Mizo viewers, however, felt that English subtitles were urgently required.

The actors who played the chiefs and warriors were outstanding, particularly, the one who played the role of Thangi’s slave master, who lent the screen the brooding presence of the legendarily feared Pawi raider. Chawngthu said though many of the actors were amateur, some among them, including the female lead, were National School of Drama products.

The theme song was the much-loved old Mizo ballad, Khawnglung Run, which was sung by C. Lalruatkima supported by the Battle Cry Band. Kima Chhangte was the music director while voice recording was done at Small World Multimedia, Serkawn, Lunglei. Another unique feature of the film is that it was produced totally at Lunglei.

Chawngthu said the film would take time to break even as the budget was high, but he planned to take it to several film festivals. He was confident that he was true to his calling as a filmmaker, which was to entertain. “The public find my film entertaining and this is enough to make me happy,” he said.

~The Telegraph/ Linda chhakchhuak

 

HPC(D) in VC inthlang le YMA indin nawk a nuom

Hmar People’s Convention (D) General Hqrs. Sinlung chun, demand area sungah khuo 15 laia VC inthlang buotsai phal naw le thawluina hmanga YMA-hai an in ṭhiektir chu ṭha a ti naw a, VC inthlang buotsai vat le YMA-hai zalen taka indin nawk an nuom ti thusuok siemin an puong.

Jackie Hmar, Information Secretary, HPC(D)-in tulai hnaia thusuok a siem danin, Mizoram hmar tieng mipuihai harsatna sukkieng ding le, sawrkar anthawka an chanvo ding indiktak an dawng theina dingin HPC(D)-in hma a lak zing laiin, thawktuhai laiah mi ṭhenkhat induthaw deuhaiin demand area sunga khuo 15 laia mipuihai chu an aiawh khawtlang ṭhuoitu VC thlang thei lovin an rikrap a, thawluinain YMA ṭhiek dingin an vau bawk a, hieng ang chi bik inthlier hrangna le hnam bik chawi vul tumna hi HPC(D) Gen.Hqrs.Sinlung chun ṭha a ti naw a ni, an tih.

Demand area sunga chenghai ieng hnam khawm nisien hmasawnna rabi thar sira sawrkar anthawka an chanvo diktak an dawng theina dingin ke a pen pei ding ti puongin, Mizoram sawrkar chu khuo 15-ah VC inthlang buotsai vat dingin a nuom a, YMA-hai khawm function nawk vat dingin an nuom ti thusuoka chun an tarlang bawk.
Pawl le pawl inrikrapna leia lunghnur el lo ding le, hmasawnna lam hraw dingin titakzeta ṭhang la ding le, demand area sunga ieng hnam khawm thirbikna um lova lungruol taka hmasawnna lam hraw dinga ṭhang la tlang ding dam in HPC(D) chun a fiel a, mipui harsatna le buoina sukkieng dingin hma lak pei an tum ti an tarlang bawk.

~Vanglaini

Security up after Hmar threat

Silchar, August 8, 2012: Security in Mizoram’s government guest houses spread across eight cities countrywide have been considerably beefed up in the wake of a threat letter sent to the government recently by the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), stating that these houses would be the target of its attacks.

The rebel body’s self-styled “emergency chairman” L.T. Hmar made it clear in the threat mail that these guest houses would be attacked if the three top leaders of the HPC (D), arrested recently by Mizoram police in concert with Assam police in one case and Delhi police in another, are not released “forthwith”.

While H. Zosangbera, the outfit’s chairman, was picked by a joint team of the Mizoram and Delhi police from Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi after he landed there on July 17 in a flight from Imphal, reportedly to meet a few Union home ministry officials, the other two leaders, “army chief” Lalropuia and his deputy Biaknnunga, were arrested from Silchar airport on June 10.

Confirming the receipt of the threat letter sent in the last week of July, a senior official of the Mizoram government’s home department yesterday said the help of the police chiefs in the different states where the Mizoram Houses are at present located was sought to provide security to each of them.

There are two guest houses each in New Delhi and Calcutta while Bangalore, Shillong, Silchar, Guwahati, Mumbai and Vellore house one each.

The guest houses issue inner-line permits to foreign visitors required to visit Mizoram and also to non-Mizo civilians, take care of patients from Mizoram who go to these cities and towns for specialised healthcare treatment and also provide rooms to visiting Mizoram ministers and officials on duty.

James Lalrinchhana, the deputy resident commissioner of the Mizoram government posted here, today said a full section of the CRPF comprising over 30 jawans is now on round-the-clock duty in the guest house here to foil any possible threat. He said from now on, the visitors intending to visit the guest house here would be screened and checked while entering its precincts irrespective of their purpose of visit.

Cachar district’s superintendent of police Diganta Bora said in view of this new threat, the local police force has been ordered to keep a strict surveillance on the guest house’s compound on Sonai Road in south Silchar.

Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta

ZNP slams Mizoram Home Minister over remarks on HPC (D)

Aizawl, August 06, 2012: The remark of Mizoram home minister R Lalzirliana to "forgive" Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) Chairman, H.Zosangbera who was arrested from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 17, has attracted criticisms from other political parties in Mizoram.

On Monday, Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) leader R Lalawia said only the President of India can forgive a criminal officially.

The Mizoram home minister had given a statement in the state assembly recently.

R Lalzirliana said that the HPC (D) leader and his outfit will be forgiven any time they come back to the mainstream and even said that even the criminals can be forgiven.

Reacting to this comment, the ZNP leader it is surprising and embarrassing over the remark of Lalzirliana and said that it is not the state government and even not the Home minister who has the authority to forgive the criminals; it is only the President of India who can forgive the criminals.

"There is always the limit, and it is really a matter of shame that leaders of the state often speak of what is beyond their power," said the ZNP leader.

~The Sangai Express

HPC (D) in Chairman in-charge ding an ruot, hma nasa nawk zuola lak an tum

HPC (D) chun Emergency Executive Council neiin Pu L.T. Hmar Chairman in-charge ding'n an ruot thu le hma nasa nawk zuola lak an tum pei thu ahnuoia Press Release an insuo na chun an hril.

PRESS RELEASE

July 17, 2012 khan HPC(D) Chairman Pu H.Zosangbera chu Mizoram sawrkarin Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi-ah a man a, tunah a kutah a hrêng mek a ni. HPC(D) Chairman hi Mizoram-a cheng Hmarho harsatna a hma theih ang bera chin fel a tul zia Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India-a hetiang lam enkawltute nena sawi tlâng tura kal a ni.Tin, June 10, 2012 khan HPC(D) Army Chief Pu Lalropuia leh Deputy Chief of Army Pu Lalbiaknunga te chu HPC(D) Designated Camp, Ankhasuo a thlawh pah a All Parties Leaders (Mizoram) hruaitute nena remna kawng sial dan tur ngaihtuah tlâng tura kal chu Silchar Airport (Assam) ah Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) ten an man tawh bawk a. Hemi All Party Leaders (Mizoram) te inkhawm tur hi Mizoram Chief Minister chuan a hriatpui mai bakah a awka a ni. Mahse, Mizoram sawrkar chuan a thu a bawhchhia a, rinawm loh-ah a insiam a ni. Chu mai chu a ni lo. Hemi inmanna hian Mizoram Sawrkar leh HPC(D) ten Suspension of Operation (SoO) – November 10, 2010 to May 11, 2011- chhungah an puan tawh, zawi zawia indawr tawnna boruak nelawm zawk siam chhoh mektu chu a rawn vaw chhia a; Assam Sawrkar leh HPC(D) te inkara Suspension of Operation (SoO) ding lai chu HPC(D) hruaitute an man hian pawngpawrh takin an bawhchhe bawk a ni.

India Danpui hnuaia dan ding laiin a phalsak anga Mizoram-a cheng Hmarho chanvo dawn tur chu an kut ah pe ve tura HPC(D) ten dan anga nawrna an siam chu Mizoram sawrkar chuan remna leh muanna duh loh ang ziazangin, remna kawng dapa kal an hruaitute lo changa an lo man mai hi HPC(D) chuan a dem takzet a ni. Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) huap chhunga ‘Flag March’ huaihawt emaw, Hmarho hnawlna tur ah Home Department, Government of Mizoram in order (No. D. 32020/24/2010-HMS) a chhuah emaw leh hmanraw remchanga a hman theih niha a ngaih pawl thenkhatte hmanga Hmar tawng, culture le Hmar hnam ro huhbeh a tumte leh chumi chu remchanga laa engkimah hlei a len mai hi HPC(D) chuan a hai lo a, hetiang inrahbehna hi a ngawihpui ngai dawn lo tih a puang nawn leh a ni. Zângkhua a bungbu hlen ngai lo.

Mizoram Sawrkar Home Minister Lalzirliana leh a sangawi zawnpuiten HPC(D) hmahruaina hnuaia Mizoram-a cheng Hmarho chanvo dik taka pe ve tura Sawrkar an nawrh hi an hruaitute mansaka tihreh an inring a nih chuan an tisual hle a ni tih an la hria ang. Chumi sawhkhawk mawh phurtu chu Mizoram Sawrkar ding lai a ni. HPC(D) chuan tun aia nasa zawk hian a thil tum hlen turin a tang sauh dawn a, a hma lak zêl dan tur pawh tun hma aia felfai zawkin a duan bawk dawn. An hruaitu thenkhat hrêng mah se, an chanvo ang chang tur leh an thil tum hlen chhuak tura hma an laknaah tang lehzual sauh tur Hmar pasaltha leh an hruaitu tur za tam tak an la awm. Mizoram sawrkarin sipai chakna leh fin kherh hmanga rahbeh leh thuai chhum a tum nasat poh leh mi huaisen a cho chhuak tam ting mai ang.

Vawiin hian HPC(D) chu Mizoram Sawrkar leh Mizo pawi khawih tuma phiartu anga dik lo taka puh a nih bakah Mizoram-a chengte inlungrualna tikhi tumtu anga puh a ni bawk a. Mahse, Mizoram-a cheng Hmar miten an harsatna tihrehsak tura sawrkara dilna an siam hian tu pawi mah an sawi lo a, tu pawi mah an khawih lo a; Mizo chhungah kan inrual tlangna tur zawk kan zawng ani. India Danpuiin a phalsak kan chanvo, kan pianvo ni hrim chu, a nihna anga hman theih tura kan dinhmun siamsak chu kan phu ang hrimin, chu chu kan dil ve ani. Chu chuan India ram emaw Mizoram State emaw inpumkhatna eng kawng zawng pawhin a khawih buai lo. India sawrkar lakah lungawi loa kan rammut lai pawh khan kan chanvo leh kan pianvo mai ni lo, India laka indan tumin hma kan la a, a nghawng pawh kan tuar nasa tih kan hria. HPC(D) thil tum leh ngiat hi Mizoram State emaw India ram emaw atanga indaidan tumna a ni lo; kan chanvo min rahbehsak chu a neitu dik tak kutah hlan tawh turin kan duh a, chu chu dilin HPC(D) chuan hma kan la ani. Mi tin le hnam tinin an chanvo leh pianvo theuh dik taka an hman hi India Danpui thuthlung a ni a, chu chu hre rengin, Mizoram-a cheng Hmarho chuan kan dil a, kan dilna tihhlawhtlinsak hi India Danpui zawmna a ni a, dodal leh hnawlsak tum chu kan Danpui bawhchhiatna a ni.

HPC(D) Chairman Pu H.Zosangbera chu Mizoram Police ten an kawlh lailawkah Chairman ai aw turin HPC(D) Emergency Executive Council chuan lungrual takin Pu L.T. Hmar chu kan ruat fel bawk.

India khua leh tui tu pawh rilru leh ngaihtuahna dik pu leh hmang apiangin Hmarho chunga Mizoram Sawrkar thiltih dik lohzia hi min hriatpui turin kan duh a, kan ngen bawk a ni. An thiltih dan, inbumna leh fin kherek chhuaha HPC(D) hruaitute an man dan pawh hian engkimah dan an bawhchhiat bakah remna boruak aiin rinhlelhna boruak a hring a, remna leh muanna kawng a tin lo. Khami hmaa remna leh muanna a thlen nana inbiakna tur buatsaih a nih lai pawh khan phuahchawp chhuanlam derthawng tak hmanga inbiakna kawnga a mutan siamtu chu Mizoram sawrkar ding lai hi a ni.

HPC(D) chuan a thiltum a hlen hma chuan chawlhsan a tum lo. Chumi maichamah chuan a tul hun apiangah engkim hlan a inhuam reng.

 

(AMOS P. HMAR)

Secretary
Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic)

Government of Hmarram
HMAR PEOPLES’ CONVENTION (DEMOCRATIC)
General Headquaters, Sinlung.

Date: 01.08.2012

________________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE

The Government of Mizoram arrested the HPC(D) Chairman, H.Zosangbera from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 17, 2012 and is now in its custody. The HPC(D) Chairman was on his way to meet officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to intimate about the urgent need for political solution of the Hmars in Mizoram.

On June 10, 2012, the HPC(D) Army Chief, Lalropui and the Deputy Chief of Army, Lalbieknung were also arrested by the Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) from Silchar Airport (Assam) when they were on their way to visit the HPC(D) Designated Camp and attend a peace meeting with the leaders of the All Parties Leaders (Mizoram). The Chief Minister of Mizoram was aware about the peace meet and has given a nod to the All Party Leaders (Mizoram). The Government of Mizoram, once again, broke the trust and confidence that has been slowly building up after the first term of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) between the HPC(D) and the Government of Mizoram (November 11, 2010 – May 11, 2011). The Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) and the Government of Mizoram blatantly trespass with the arrest as the HPC(D) has Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Government of Assam.

The HPC(D) strongly condemns the coward act of the Government of Mizoram as it stands against the just and peaceful approaches adopted by the HPC(D) to secure the Constitutional rights of the Hmars in Mizoram. The HPC(D) is convinced that the Government of Mizoram is in no way interested in securing peace and democracy in Mizoram. The HPC(D) shall not be a silent spectator to the necessary belligerency adopted by the Government of Mizoram; the recently conducted “Flag March” in Sinlung Hills was un-democratic and exaggerated; the attempt to “segregate” the Hmar peoples by the Home Department, Government of Mizoram, with its order (No. D. 32020/24/2010-HMS) is a shame. It will forever stand as the biggest insult to Mizoram’s peace and democracy. The Government of Mizoram must immediately end its “segregationist” policies that are directed against the Hmar people. The decades of suppression and discrimination by the Government of Mizoram in collusion with Mizoram based NGO has resulted in giving no place and space for Hmar language, culture, identity and tradition; our people are deprived and marginalized from getting our due and fair share in governance, welfare, development, education, entitlement and justice. The rights of the suppressed Hmar people shall not be allowed to be thwarted and deterred by the exercise of such uncalled for belligerency. Enough is enough!

If the Home Minister of Mizoram, Lalzirliana and his cahoots thinks that the rightful demand of the Hmar people of Mizoram and a peoples’ movement launched under Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) could be suppressed with the arrest of our selfless leaders, they shall be proven wrong. The Government of Mizoram shall be responsible for the fall-out. As a matter of fact, our movement will be taken to a higher level and we are more determined towards prioritizing our goal ever than before. There are hundreds of Hmar youths and leaders who are ready to respond to the call of securing our rights and the long-time aspirations of the Hmar people that are also represented by our arrested leaders. Let the Mizoram state police trace and track us anywhere and everywhere if it thinks that would wrest our movement and aspirations which will be again proven wrong.

The Government of Mizoram has been blindly accusing the HPC(D) of planning several attacks on the people and state of Mizoram. We are also accused of disintegrating the Mizos of Mizoram and elsewhere. We would like to remind one and all by asserting that the Hmars’ movement in Mizoram and its adjoining areas is not against any individual people or community but only for securing a just socio-economic and political development of the Hmars in Sinlung Hills areas of Mizoram which has not only Hmars living in it. Moreover, our struggle is for improving democracy and for the decentralization of the same, which has eluded the Hmar people for many decades. The just development of Hmar people of Mizoram will in no way disintegrate the Mizos; instead it will strengthen and integrate the Mizos. Our time has come to secure our fair and equal share in welfare, democracy and development; no one can stop us from securing our rights.

In the larger interest of securing the goals of the peoples’ movement, the HPC(D), in its recently concluded Emergency Executive Council appointed Shri L.T. Hmar to be the Chairman in-charge of the HPC(D).

We appeal to all right thinking citizens to take note of the treacherous policy of the Government of Mizoram towards the Hmar people. The Hmar people or the HPC(D) shall not be responsible for any outcome bred by the decades of treacherous, segregationist and suppressive and oppressive actions of the Government of Mizoram. We remain committed to our rightful struggle and aspirations; we shall continue the good fight under all circumstances until we achieve our goals. In order to realize the great future, we shall sacrifice everything that is required of us.

(AMOS P. HMAR)

Secretary

Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic)

Government of Hmarram

HMAR PEOPLES’ CONVENTION (DEMOCRATIC)

General Headquaters, Sinlung.

Date: 01.08.2012

Mizo home minister appeals HPC-D ultras to shun violence

Aizawl (PTI):  Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today renewed his appeal to the Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention - Democrats (HPC-D) militants to shun the path of violence and come overground. Lalzirliana said he extended general amnesty to those who were willing to return to normal life. Talking to reporters, he, however, warned that the police would continue crackdown on the militants who were continuing violent activities. Earlier too, the home minister had appealed to HPC-D ultras to come overground. "If they come overground, we would offer general amnesty and rehabilitate them by giving financial assistance through the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) and other governmental programmes," he said. He said the Congress, after coming to power in 2008 never regarded HPC-D cadres as insurgents, but their activities like intimidation and extortion prompted the government to order a crackdown. The recent arrests of HPC-D top brass like its chairman H Zosangbera, 'Army chief' Lalropuia and 'Deputy Army Chief' Biaknunga were fallout of the outfit's cadres in illegal and violent activities, he said.

~PTI