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)

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