Zo Indigenous Forum

Stakeholders Consultation on Kaladan Multi Modal Transport neih a ni

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:08:00 +0000

Lai Students Association General Headquarters Press Release

Vawin(16/2/2012) hian Lai Students'Association leh Zo Indigenious Forum,Aizawl tangkawpa buatsaih Stakeholders Consultation on Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project SSA BRC Hall,Lawngtlai ah neih ani.

Consulation 1 Session hi Pu C.Kapkima Vice President Lai Student'Association,General Headquarters;Lawngtlai in a kaihruai a,Hunserh Upa K.Zozamlianan a hmang a,Kalkhawmte Lawmna Thuchah leh Inhmelhriattirna Pu K.Thansiama General Secretary Lai Students'Association, General Headquarters;Lawngtlai in anei a.

Khuallian Pu V.Zirsanga..Executive Member i/c Middle School etc..LADC niin..HIV chungchang inzirtirna Presentation Dr.Lalrinfela ,District Hospital,Lawngtlai in a nei a. Zaithiam Nl K.Lalnipuii'n kalkhawmte zaiin a awi a, hemi hnu hian PuC.Lalremruata Director,Zo Indigenious Forum,Aizawl in Kaladan MultiModal Transport Project chungchang ah Presentation a nei leh a,hmasawnna lo luang lut mai tur kara chhiatna lo thleng thei tam tak kan hmachhawn dan tur leh engtiangin nge kan lo inven ang tih zirtirna a pe a,hmasawnna in thil tha tam tak leh malsawmna a ken tel rual in,HIV,Human Trafficiking,Drug, etc awlsam takin a rawn lut in a punlun thei a,Sipai tam tak an awm dawn avangin Check Point tam tak paltlang angai dawn a,harsatna tam tak a ram leilung fate hian kan hmachhawn dawn ani tih a sawi a.Heng ang lo hmachhawn tur hian keini hi kan pawimawh hle ani tiin a sawi a ni.

2 Session Discussion ah Pu K.Thansiama leh Pu C.Lalremruata ten kaihruaiin sawinona hun tha tak an hmang a ni.Consultation ah hian Central Young Lai Association,Lai Women Association Headquarters Lawngtlai,Mizo Hmeichhia Insuihkhawm Pawl Sub-Hqrs Lawngtlai,Mizoram Journalist Association Lawngtlai,Ex-Councillor Association Lawngtlai,Land Owner Association Lawngtlai,World Vision of India Chhimtuipui Area Development Programme,Lai District Congress Committee,Student Union Gov't Lawngtlai College leh Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project hnathawk mektu ARSS Company te an tel a,Pu H.Lalremruatfela General Executive Committee Member Lai Students'Association General Headquarters;Lawngtlai hnen atangin Lawmthu sawina ngaihthlak anih hnu in,Consulation hun tih tawp a ni.

Sd/-

K.Thansiama
General Secretary
Lai Students'Association
General Headquarters;Lawngtlai

Local residents have no knowledge about Kaladan Project: U Pu Zozam

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:51:00 +0000

Sittwe: Local residents living along the Kaladan River in western Burma’s Chin and Arakan states have little or no knowledge about the Indian-backed Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, said U Pu Zozam, the president of the Chin National Party.

U Pu Zozam led a study-team, and had done field-research on the project travelling along the Kaladan River between Sittwe in Arakan State and Paletwa in Chin State on the Indian border from the 5th to the 8th of February.

He told Narinjara after coming back from his 4-day research tour that the local residents are still not informed of what they should know about the project in their region.

I have found out that the local residents do not know yet such a big infrastructure project is under construction in their area. As such they do not know what the effects on them by the project will be, and they even do not know who are doing what in their respective regions relating to the project”, he said.

Most of peoples living along the Kaladan River are farmers and fishers earning their livelihoods depending on the river.

U Pu Zozam said the cultivations in a number of townships along the river in Arakan State will suffer from inundations if the river is dredged for the project.

“We have found out that the paddy fields in low-lying areas in Sittwe and Ponnagyun Townships will suffer from flooding with sea-water if the river is to be dredged for the project. There are so many villages living on cultivations that depend on the river at the upper river areas, and those cultivations will also be hurt after dredging the river”, said U Pu Zozam.

He said his team had especially studied the local peoples' knowledge about the project and how the project will impact their livelihoods, adding that it will publicize what it has found out after thorough analysis to the concerned authorities and general people.

India’s Essar Company is now constructing $ 120 million Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project jointly with the Max (Myanmar) Company. The project consists of upgrading the port in Sittwe for accessing 6,000 ton cargo vessels, dredging the river route to Paletwa, and a 200 km road from Paletwa to Mizoram State in India.

The project was proposed by the Indian government under a framework agreement with the Burmese military regime in 2008 and will be finalized in 2013. It is said to be designed to increase the bilateral trade between both countries and to give a new trade route to the land-locked northeastern states in India.

Women's commissions seek 33% quota in assemblies and Parliament

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Saying there is gender discrimination in the northeast when it comes to politics, women's commissions in the states of the region have pressed for 33 per cent reservation for women in assemblies and Parliament.

The representation of women in the region - which has a population of around 38.5 million (2001 census) - is a mere 4.5 per cent, with only 21 women legislators in the seven legislative assemblies that have a total strength of 466.

"There is gender discrimination when it comes to women in politics. We had tried our best to convince our men to allow women to take part in the electoral battle, but all in vain," Mizoram State Women's Commission chairperson Lalnipuii said. There is no representation of the fairer sex in the Mizoram and Nagaland assemblies.

"This (no women's representation) is very discouraging even though women are good, if not better, than men," she said.

Northeastern states fast losing their green cover

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0000

GUWAHATI: The once-green northeast is fast becoming barren. The State of Forest Report, 2011, released by Forest Survey of India (FSI) on Wednesday, shows the region has lost 549 sq km of forest cover in the last two years, while another 1,229 sq km forest land has also been degraded into scrub with canopy density of less than 10 per cent. "This decrease is attributed to the biotic pressure and shifting cultivation in the region," the report stated.

Nationally, Assam has lost the maximum forest cover in the entire country of the very dense category of forest, 17 sq km in last two years. The moderately dense type of forest in Assam has also decreased by 152 sq km - the highest in the country, according to the report.

According to the report, Arunachal Pradesh now has a forest cover of 67,410 sq km, Assam has 27,673 sq km, Mizoram 19,117 sq km, Meghalaya 17,275 sq km, Manipur 17,090 sq km, Nagaland 13,318 sq km, Tripura 7,977 sq km and Sikkim 3,359 sq km. Only in Assam, which has lost 19 sq km of forest cover between 2009 and 2011, the decrease has been attributed to "illicit felling, encroachments in militancy-affected areas and shifting cultivation practice."

According to the report, the northeastern region has a forest cover of 1,73,219 sq km, which constitutes 66.07% of its geographical area. The region constitutes just 7.98% of the total geographical area of the country, but accounts for nearly a fourth of India's total forest cover.

The report said that Manipur has lost 190 sq km of forest cover, the highest among northeastern states, since the last survey in 2009. The FSI has attributed the decrease to "shrinking of shifting cultivation cycle and biotic pressure." In Manipur, the decrease in the forest cover is mainly in three hill districts of Tamenglong, Senpati and Ukhrul, while Chandel district has shown a 30 sq km increase in forest cover. Nagaland follows Manipur, with the state losing 146 sq km in the last two years. Arunachal Pradesh has lost 74 sq km, Mizoram 66 sq km, Meghalaya 46 sq km, Tripura eight sq km while forest cover in Sikkim has remained the same.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/northeastern-states-fast-losing-their-green-cover/articleshow/11811536.cms

80% Mizoram students get drinking water in school

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:14:00 +0000

Aizawl: Mizoram government on Tuesday said that more than 80 per cent of students in the state have been provided with drinking water in the educational institutions.

Education Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi said 81 per cent of primary schools were provided water while it was 88 per cent, 65.82 per cent and 100 per cent coverage in middle schools, high schools and higher secondary schools respectively.

She said this during a consultation held here with authorities of both government and private institutions.

Availability of separate urinals for boys and girls was 53.42 in Aizawl district, she said, adding that 100 per cent achievements on this reported from majority of other districts was doubtful.

She urged the school authorities to give factual reports so that the Supreme Court, which instructed the governments to provide 100 per cent drinking water and urinals to the students, would be provided with factual information by the state government.

PTI

Chargesheet filed against Porvorim parlour owners

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:13:00 +0000

PANAJI: The women and child protection unit of the Goa police has filed a chargesheet against owners of Lotus beauty parlour, Porvorim, for allegedly bringing girls from Nagaland and Mizoram with a promise of providing them with jobs in a beauty parlour and then pushing them into commercial sex work.

The chargesheet has been filed in the Children's court as well as JMFC court, Mapusa, as of the 11 victims rescued, one was a minor.

Police had received information that the girls were forced into flesh trade while they were working at Lotus parlour and that the three victim girls from Mizoram had escaped from the parlour and taken shelter in Betalbatim. Police rescued the three girls, of which one was a minor, who informed that more girls are in flesh trade at the parlour.

Police then raided the parlour and rescued 8 girls from Nagaland, Mizoram and Belgaum. They arrested the parlour owner, Shanta alias Laxmi Mishra, 46, and her employees Rashid Khan, 22, Mohammad Khan, 25, Mohammad Khalid, 25, Mohammad Arif, 21, Nawab I, 27. Later on December 15, 2011, the police arrested Laxmi's husband Harikant alias Harish Mishra, 31. Another accused Alex Hayub from Nagaland is absconding. A case has been booked against the accused under various sections of Indian Penal Code, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) and Goa Children's Act.

The chargesheet reveals that the girls have in their statement said that an advertisement had appeared in a newspaper in Nagaland for work in a spa in Goa and they had appeared for interview before Harish in Nagaland. However, they were brought to Goa and entrusted with the work of giving massage and as beauticians for both male and female customers. They also revealed that 3 girls from Mizoram were beaten up by the accused Laxmi as they refused to have sex with the customers.

~ Times of India

Mizoram gears up for wild fire prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:12:00 +0000

AIZAWL, Jan 31: Dry season in Mizoram means a worrisome for the Mizos. Every year wild fire destroys not only the rich forest resources but endangers lives in the villages located in the infringes of the forests.

The government of Mizoram has been taking measures to prevent wild fire in the state.

On Tuesday, Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla who is also the chairman of the Mizoram State Level Fire Prevention Committee convened a meeting.

Wild fire is one of the most disastrous calamities in Mizoram and as a move to check such disaster the state government has taken up measures, said Lal Thanhawla.

In this connection, the State Level Fire Prevention Committee of the Mizoram government has asked the people for their cooperation.

Lal Thanhawla said the people across the state have knowledge on fire prevention which result in the decrease of wild fire. “But as compared to the size of Mizoram, outbreak of jungle fire is very high. We should be more careful and remain alert to prevent fire this year as Mizoram is currently experiencing a dry season for long time”, said Lal Thanhawla today.

As per the committee resolution, all jhum farmers in Mizoram have been asked to burn their patches before March 15. The Deputy Commissioners of Kolasib, Mamit and Aizawl districts will be informed later about this matter. According to data available, wild fire had broke at 58 places from December 2010 to May 2011 destroying 1259.95 hectares of land. The state will also observe Fire Prevention Week from 3rd February.

~ Newmai News Network

2011 Indigenous Report (in Mizo)

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Kum 2011 chhunga ram leilung fate chunga thilthleng thenkhat dahkhawmna Indigenous Report 2011 chu a vawikhatna atan Zo Indigenous Forum chuan a buatsaih-a, he report hi tawite mah nise, khawvela ram leilung fa (indigenous people) te chunga thilthleng pawimawh thenkhat lakkawm te a ni a, he Report-in a tum ber chu khawvel hmun danga ram leiling fate chanchin Mizo tawnga chhiar theih a dah te, mite hma lak thin dan leh hlawhtlinna an chante leh chumi atang chuan keini hian enge zirchhuah tur kan neih ang tih beisei a buatsaih a ni.

Thlatina tilthleng pawimawh leh kan hriat atana tangkai tur ni awm deuh te kan thlangkhawm a, mi pahnih khat talin ram leilung fate dikna leh chanvo chungchangah harhna leh hmasawnna kawngkhat tala kan neihbelh theih ngei hi kan duhthusam leh beisei a ni e.

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Indigenous Peoples To Discuss Participation In World Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 06:19:00 +0000

Friday and Saturday, indigenous peoples representatives from all over the world will participate in a brainstorm meeting in Copenhagen to discuss indigenous peoples' participation in the planning of the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

The meeting is organized by the Greenland Self Rule Representation in Copenhagen, the Sami Parliament of Norway and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, IWGIA.

The world will assess the implementation of indigenous rights

UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples to be held in 2014 will focus on the state of implementation of indigenous peoples' human rights. Indigenous peoples’ special rights are described in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. Among indigenous peoples’ rights is the right to participate in decision making.

Indigenous peoples demand full participation in the World Conference

Since the UN General Assembly in 2010 adopted Resolution A/C.3/65/L.22/Rev.1 the holding of a "high level segment" meeting in the form of a world conference on indigenous peoples, the World Conference has been on the agenda in a number of UN bodies such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on Indigenous Peoples' Rights. A crucial point has been the discussion about ensuring indigenous peoples' full participation in both the preparatory process and the conference itself.

Indigenous representatives have made clear their desire to participate actively in the planning of the conference and not be relegated to an observer role. They see the World Conference, its possible outcomes and the preparation process itself as an important opportunity to implement the UN Declaration, particularly with regards to indigenous peoples’ right to participate in decision making that affects their lives and future.

UN mandates and 27 indigenous representatives will attend the meeting

The meeting will be attended by representatives of indigenous peoples from Africa, Asia, Arctic, North and South America and Oceania. Furthermore, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Mirna Cunningham, and the chair of the UN Expert Mechanism on Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Bambanze Vital will attend the meeting.

Strong signal of Danish/Greenlandic support

The Danish Minister for foreign affairs Villy Sovndal and the Premier of Greenland Self Rule (Naalakkersuisut) Kuupik Kleist will participate in the opening of the meeting. Their participation confirms a continued strong Danish / Greenlandic cooperation on indigenous issues and the new Danish government's willingness to continue Denmark's leading role in relation to the current process around the World Conference and the work for strengthening indigenous peoples' rights in general.

Civil society, church leaders want resumption of peace talks

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Aizawl, Jan 14 (PTI) The meeting of representatives of all civil societies and church leaders at Mizoram-Manipur border Sakawrdai village yesterday expressed the desire for resumption of peace talks between the state government and the Hmar People's Convention - Democrats. The meeting, held in the wake of the Union Home Ministry's instruction to the Mizoram government to resume parleys with the HPC-D, endorsed the efforts made by all political parties of the area. Mizoram government, however, has earlier said that it would not say 'yes' to everything the Home Ministry said and that the stance of the government would be clarified to the Centre. State home minister R Lalzirliana said that it would also be difficult to decide which faction of the HPC-D would the government talk to. The HPC-D faction, led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate also snubbed the overtures of the political parties in the area saying that the political parties in the area, especially HPC led by Thanglianchhung did not have any right to urge for negotiations.

10 injured in firing on anti-dam agitators

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 – At least 10 anti-mega dam agitators sustained injuries when the Dhemaji district police opened fire on an assembly of protestors at Thekeraguri under Boginadi Police Station of Lakhimpur district around 7.45 pm today. The Dhemaji police, led by the district Superintendent of Police, has been carrying out action against the protestors till the filing of this report, general secretary of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) Akhil Gogoi alleged.
He alleged that the State Government seemed to be keen on turning the process of its discussion with the anti-mega dam agitators into a farce. Or else, there is no logical reason as to why it is applying force to facilitate transportation of huge quantities of diesel and other construction materials to the Gerukamukh site of the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project (LSHEP).

He also made an appeal to the anti-mega dam organisations and the people of the State to take note of this development and to unite for intensifying their agitation against the mega dams coming up in the region.

The KMSS and its allies – Takam Mising Porin Kebang, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad, All Assam Minorities Students’ Union – and the people of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts had to resume their National Highway 52 blockade agitation in a stretch of around 40 km between Ghagornagar and Gogamukh this afternoon. They were protesting the administration’s bid to send five diesel tankers and several construction material-ladden trucks to the LSHEP’s Gerukamukh site.

Later, they withdrew the blockade when around 100 anti-mega dam activists detained by the Boginadi Police were released following a discussion between the leaders of the organisations spearheading the agitation and the Lakhimpur district administration.

The Dhemaji police entered the scene just when the agitators were withdrawing from the NH-52 and opened fire on them, Gogoi alleged.

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com

Missionary Day observed in Mizoram

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Aizawl, Jan 11 (PTI) 'Chanchintha Thlenni' or the arrival of the gospel, popularly known as 'Missionary Day' was observed all over Mizoram by different church denominations to commemorate the first arrival of Christian missionaries in Mizo soil 118 years ago. Church services were held all over the state where thanksgiving ceremonies were organised for the advent of Christianity through the missionaries from the UK which resulted in a change of the Mizo society. On this day in 1894, two missionaries - Rev. J. H. Lorrain and Rev. F. W. Savidge, known to the Mizos as Pu Buanga and Sapupa respectively arrived at Sairang, about 20 kilometres from Aizawl, by boat to sread the gospel. The Presbyterian Church in 1974 began observing the day every year and the state government also declared January 11 as a public holiday since 1994 when the 'Gospel Centenary was celebrated in the state.

Guwahati High Court rule in favour of Indigenous land owners in Mizoram

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:42:00 +0000

The Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench gave order to the Deputy Commission of Lawngtlai to gave the remaining compensation of Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project Phase 'A' and 12% interest to the land owners within 3 months and solatium of 30% within 4 months.

The project has been a part of India’s' Look East Policy and under the Land Acquisition Act the land has been taken. The compensation has been given under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner Lawngtlai and a total amount of Rs. 2,77,65,142/- has already given to the land owners.

Some of the land owners approached the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench for not giving the Award Copy and also not giving the 12% interest as well as 30% solatium, a case WP (C) No 68 of 2011 was registered and delivered a judgment Order (Oral) dt. 13.12.2011 was made and ordered the Deputy Commissioner Lawngtlai to give 12% interest to the land owners within 3 months and solatium of 30% within 4 months. The court also ruled that if they are not satisfied with the compensation they can appeal in the court also.

Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project is a Million Dollar Project that connects Burma through Mizoram State, earlier Zo Indigenous Forum organised Consultation on Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project in Aizawl and schedule to be held in Lawngtlai on the Second half of January 2012.

Mizoram celebrates Christmas with traditional gaiety

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:59:00 +0000

Aizawl, Dec 25 (PTI) Special prayers and services marked Christmas celebrations in the Christian-dominated north-eastern state of Mizoram today. Aizawl district SP Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. Christmas day saw prayers and worship services in the houses of worship, followed by fellowships from where typical Mizo Christmas songs echoed the streets of Aizawl city. Community feasts, customary Mizo festivals even before the advent of Christianity would be organised in all the villages and localities of urban areas tomorrow climaxing the celebrations marking the birth of Jesus Christ.

Indian Mizo With 39 Wives, 94 Kids Is Strangest Story Of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Washington, Dec 22: An Indian man in Mizoram with 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren, all living under one roof, holds the numero uno position in Ripley's Believe It or Not top 11 strangest stories for this year.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is considered to be the authority on all things odd, amazing and unusual.

The annual list of the strangest stories of the year was released by it yesterday.

Topping the list if 11 strange stories, is the story reported by London based 'The Telegraph', about Ziona Chana, who lives in a four storied building with 100 rooms in a mountainous village in Mizoram.

"It's a safe bet that Ziona Chana would not be impressed watching '19 Kids and Counting' or 'Sister Wives'. The 66-year- old man has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren," said Ripley's Believe It or Not in a statement.

"I once married 10 women in one year," Chana is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

According to the daily, Chana met his oldest wife, who is three years older than he is, when he was 17.

Other strangest stories include 'implanting organs in the name of art'; 'Liechtenstein for Hire at USD 70,000 a Night'; 'Blind Dog Gets Own Guide Dog'; 'Cemetery Collector with 29 Bodies Arrested'; 'Alabama Company Turns Gun Lovers' Ashes into Ammunition' and 'Mexican Vampire Woman Maria Jose Cristerna Immortalized in Wax by Ripley's' among others.

Source: India TV News

Manipur Mizo Meet 2011 Rdeport

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:44:00 +0000

Joel Dawnga Lungtau

Manipur Mizote History a dai tawh ngai lo tur 1st Mizo Meet chu tarik 9th Dec, 2011 khan Kawnpui, CCPUR a ropui takin Manipur Mizoten an hmang. He hun hi Mizoram CM Pu Lal Thanhawla te nupa, Pu. Chawngtinthanga te, President CYMA, President MZP Gen.Hqrts te leh ziathiam Mami Varte, Lawmi Khiangte, TBC Zaithanpuia ten an rawn hman pui ani. Tin, Manipur Zohnahthlak Minister te pawhin an rawn hman pui bawk. Khual lian atan Pu.Lal Thanhawla hman ani. He Mizo Meet hi Mizo People Convention(MPC), Manipur bultum a buaitsaih a ni.

Mizo thiltih dang ang lo takin ahun taka programme tan ani a, Khual liante nupa chu Kawnpui khaw kawtchhuah – Kawn ah thalaiten Khual lam nen an lo hmuak a. Stage thleng an nupa hian zawn an ni bawk. He meet thil tum ber chu Manipur Zohnanthlakte inpumkhatna ani.
Khual lian Pu. Lal Thanhawla thusawi a langsar zual deuh te han thai lang ila :-

Nikum khan Zampui tlang a ka zin a, Zampuitlang Mizote pawhin Mizoram an ngai em em, mahse kan ram hi zauh zel tum kan nih avangin Insawn/suan an tum lova, chhel takin an tuar a, Mizoramah pem chhoh an tum bik chuang lo. Chutiang ang bawkin Manipur Mizote pawh, Manipur Sawrkar hnuaiah rinawm takin awm ula, Inpui(Mizoram) in nei a, Churachandpur hi Pathian in ram luah tur a pek che u ani a, luah lum tlat ang che u. Induhsak tawn reng chungin nun hmang ula, sawrkar ramri in min dang mahse, kan thinlung leh rilru chu min dang thei lo, insuihkhawm zai kan rel phawt chuan engtik ah emaw chuan Pathian in min la zawm khawm ang. Mizo te tan hian kan ban hi a tawi ngai lo. India ram hi Pathian in mission field atan a min pek a ni.

(Pu Hawla hian Zampui tlang dung zing report a pe a, Burma lam Mizo unaute ho pawhin Mizo convention ah an sawm thu, tel ve ngei a tum thu a sawi bawk a, Sakhan tlang dung MNF sawrkar lai a Mizoten kan chan tak chu lak let leh a tum thu a sawi bawk, kan sawrkar lai chu nise kan chan lo tur ati , Kum 3 chhunga Congress sawrkar progress report a pe bawk, NLUP etc. )

Mizo Meet analysis:
Khual lian, khual zahawm te hnen atangin thusawi ropui tak tak kan ngai thla, CM thusawi kha darkar 1 leh a chanve vel dawn lai ani a, a hun tam zawk kha Congress sawrkar achievement report pek thu deuh hlir ani, Manipur Mizote tan chuan a tangkai na em em ka hre hran lo, rawn campaign te pawh a ang deuh hlek hlek e. MNF hoten zalenna an sual tak te pawh kha a rawn sawi NIL chiang khawp mai.

President CYMA thusawi – ‘in ram neihchhun te hi in hralh tur ani lo’ ka thlawp khawp mai, tun lai hian CCPUR ah hian in leh lo hnamdang hnen a hralh an uar hle. CCPUR hi Pathianin kan luah tur a min pek ani si a.

President MZP Gen.Hqrts thusawi – ‘Mizoram leh Manipur inkalpawhna kawng (Guite road) hi siamthat ni ta se, tun ai hian kan inpawh zawk ang’, Mizoram CM leh Manipur tlangmi minister te hmaah Guite road condition a rawn sawi lang kha Manipur Mizo te chuan Thumbs Up kan pe e. Kan hotute beng thleng ngei se a duhawm hle.

Sawmbikte zingah khan Manipur sawrkar hnuaiah Mizo Officers kan neih te pawh an tel, mahse tumah an rawn lang lo. Mizo IAS 4, IPS 3 kan nei ve a, Manipur Mizote chuan kan thlamuanpui thin hle asin.(An rawn tel thei lo anih pawhin, thupha tal chu rawn chawi awm tak).

Mizoram lam atanga zaithiam rawn kal Mani Varte, Lawmi Khiangte, TBC-a te zaiin mipui beng a fah hle, Zohnahthlakte inpumkhatna lam hawi zawnga Mizo Meet hi buaitsaih ani a, hla sak tur an thlang fuh lo deuh in ka hria. Lengzem lutuk lam ai kha chuan Hnam hla tha tak tak kan neih te kha min han hlui zawk ta se, Mizo Meet nen pawh a va in mawi dawn em. Lawmi Khiangte in ‘Chhul khat kual’ leh ‘Mizo tlangval’ tih hla rual U zawkte hnuk ti ulh thei khawp a a rawn sa kha Thumbs Up kan pe e.

Bangladesh and Mizoram minister inaugurate trade centre

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:36:00 +0000

Aizawl, Dec 10 (PTI) Border Trade Facilitation Centre at Mizoram-Bangladesh border Tlabung town in south Mizoram's Lunglei district was jointly inaugurated by the visiting Bangladesh state minister for Chittagon Hill Tracts Dipankar Talukdar and Mizoram Trade and Commerce Minister Lalrinliana Sailo yesterday. An official statement today said that the centre was constructed at the cost of Rs 108.07 lakh and funded by the Union Commerce Ministry. The two ministers also unveiled the India-Bangladesh Shared Vision of Peace, Prosperity and Partnership stone at Kawrpuichhuah, the proposed border trade centre for Indo-Bangladesh trade, the statement said.

Source:CNNIBN

Mizoram CM requests Bangla to improve roads for border trade

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:35:00 +0000

AIZAWL: Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla on Thursday appealed to the Bangladesh government to carry out improvement of roads in border areas for the success of border trade.

At a meeting here with a delegation of Bangladesh government led by Dipankar Talukdar, minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts, Lal Thanhawla said Mizoram government also made efforts to improve the road communication to the proposed border trade centre for Indo-Bangladesh trade in southern Mizoram.

Praising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's interests to cement ties with India, he said the recent meeting held in Dhaka with Hasina's council of ministers with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was a success. Lal Thanhawla was one of the chief ministers who accompanied Singh in the Bangladesh visit.

Talukdar said his government would soon complete the groundwork for opening the border trade centre in Mizoram and that some border trade centres with Tripura state have become operational recently.

Source: The Times of India

Indigenous people likely to be refugees without ILP: Manisana

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:34:00 +0000

Imphal, December 11 2011: The indigenous people of the state are likely to be reduced to the status of refugees in near future if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is not implemented in the state, warned RK Manisana, retired Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court.

Speaking on the occasion of releasing function a book entitled "Kangleipakta Inner Line Permit System amasung Masigi Ehou" written by Sapamcha Jadumani at the office of FREINDS today, RK Manisana said that considering the increase in the population of outsiders in the state, the need to discuss the ILP has become quite important.

Sapamcha Jadumani said that the population of the indigenous people in the state is decreasing, while the population of outsiders is increasing.

The number of Muslims in the state is also increasing.

So it is very necessary that the ILP is reimplemented in the state at the earliest possible.

He further said that the government should take up the issue of ILP in the cabinet and come up with a positive resolution.

It should also be brought up in the Assembly and passed at the earliest.

K Medhajit, Lecturer, Imphal College, said that the different indigenous communities living in different part of world are doing their utmost to protect and promote their own communities.

This cannot be termed as being conservative, it is their rightful duty.

Every community should have respect for the other communities.

Source: Epao

Stakeholders Reviewed India's Look East Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:30:00 +0000

28 November 2011: Leading members of political, human rights and local NGO groups met in Aizawl, Mizoram State, India last Friday, to discuss and analyse the Indian Look East Policy (LEP) which was organised by Zo Indigenous Forum.

Explaining about India's LEP in brief, Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma, from Pachhunga University, said the policy is aimed at promoting India's economic interests through relations with neighbouring Asian countries to the east.

To this, Mr. Muanpuia, ZORO General Secretary and President of the Northeast Student Organization (NESO) said: "The LEP does not look to provide any advantages for northeastern states, such as Mizoram, so we need to think about an alternative policy that will be actually beneficial for our state and people."

Some in the northeastern states have derided the Look East Policy as 'Overlooking the Northeast' in its implementation, contending that the policy will results little benefits for their region.

Initiated in 1991 during the government of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on the Indian National Congress Party, the "Look East" Policy set a strategic shift in India's global economic perspective, viewing its southeast Asian neighbors as strategic economic partners.

The discussion also raised issues concerning the ongoing joint mega-project between India and Burma 'the Kaladan Modal Transport Project', which includes an extension of sea port in Arakan State and road construction to link Burma's Chin State and India's Mizoram State by the end of 2013.

Mr. Zosangliana, from MNF, an official opposition political party in Mizoram State, said: "The Indian government has already planned and will go ahead whether we welcome or not. Therefore, it is important that we prepare to handle this well and to defend ourselves as it will attract international investments to be based in our state."

There is a general consensus that the Look East Policy will create increasing links between India's Mizoram State and Burma's Chin State, and that measures should be taken by the people on both sides of the international borders to protect themselves against possible negative impacts.

The event was organized by the Zo Indigenous Forum at I & PR Auditorium hall, Treasury Square, and was attended by academics and representatives from the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Indian National Congress, the Zo Nationalitst Party, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Student Union), Lai Welfare Association, Zo Re-unification Organization (ZORO), the Women's League of Chinland (WLC), the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), and the Chin Public Affairs Committee (CPAC).

Medicinal plants face extinction in Northeast

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:07:00 +0000

Guwahati, Nov 18:The country’s north eastern region is rich in medicinal plants, but indiscriminate and unscientific collection is forcing many of the species into the verge of extinction, according to experts.

This matter was raised in a recent seminar organised by the apex funding institution of the region, the North Eastern Development Financial Corporation (NEDFI).

Many of the pharmaceutical companies collect their requirement from wild sources through casual and unskilled collectors and due to indiscriminate collection, many of the species disappear from their original habitats, the experts, who participated in the programme, said.

Many important species are either on the verge of extinction from the region or being threatened because of unawareness of the local people and lack of sustainable utilisation strategies.

The Northeast is rich in plant resources, ethnobiocultures and ranks sixth among the 25 mega diversity hot spot regions of the world.

More than 70 per cent of the area is predominantly hilly and having climatic heterogeneity with diverse agro climatic zones.

The region is full of plant genetic resources with a total of about 8,000 species of flowering plants from the Himalayas of which about 5,000 species are reported from the N-E region.

Till date, more than 1,400 medicinal plants have been reported by different workers and many of them belong to rare, endangered and threatened category and some are even endemic.

Many medicinal plants are unscientifically collected and among them are the “Durik Ada” variety the root of which is used as spice and condiments.

Another is the Zingiberaceae species, which is explored heavily from the forest and these are being collected from wild sources without any programme of regeneration.

Experts said that if this continues unabated, in the near future the region is bound to loose many of them for ever.

The region is considered as one of the richest in biological diversity and medicinal plants constitute a major component.

It is a significant zone and represents the transition zone between India, Indo-Malayam and Indo-Chinese biogeographic region as well as meeting place of the Himalayan mountains with that of Peninsular India and acts as biogeographic gateway of plant migration.

Source: Hindu Business Line

Mizo Kuki Zomi Chin celebrates Kut at Guwahati

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:05:00 +0000

The Kuki Chin Mizo and Zomi ethnic group celebrated the post harvesting festival “Kut” with the sense of brotherhood at Guwahati under the theme “We are Family”.

Mizoram farming plan can be a model: official

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:02:00 +0000

Aizawl, Nov 2 (IANS) The Planning Commission Wednesday lauded the Mizoram government's flagship programme - New Land Use Policy (NLUP) which aims to support 120,000 farming families over five years.

'NLUP would be a model for other states in India to take up alternative farming instead of age-old 'Jhum' cultivation (slash and burn method of farming),' Planning Commission member Secretary Suddha Pillai said here.

Tribals in the hilly terrains of Mizoram and other northeastern states have for generations carried out 'jhum', which has resulted in degradation of forest land and deterioration of soil.

About 80 percent of farmers in Mizoram still depend on 'jhum' cultivation, which involves clearing forests and burning the slashed trees, weeds and bamboos.

Pillai, on a two-day visit to Mizoram, said: 'The NLUP, which was launched in January, has the potential to improve Mizoram economy dramatically.'

The NLUP aims to restore ecological balance by providing the farmers alternative sustainable and permanent land-based means of livelihood.

It also aims to create 21,480 hectares of bamboo plantation to benefit 10,740 families.

Despite the slash-and-burn system of cultivation, Mizoram has a large forest cover area of 75.77 percent of the total land.

According to an official report, the NLUP intends to keep 60 percent of the state's total geographical area under forest cover and the rest for land-based development.

Source : Indo-Asian News Service

Zo Indigenous Forum welcomes free movement of Zo people in Burma and India

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:38:00 +0000

Zo Indigenous Forum welcomes the nationals of India and Burma will be able to travel crossing the Indo-Burma border without a passport or a visa up to a period of one week following a meeting held in Falam Town, Chin State last week.

There are more than tens of thousands of Zo people living in both side of the country, and implementing our right written in the UNDRIP Article 36 as Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders. And States, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the implementation of this right.

The official announcement was made after 24^th Tuesday’s meeting between the two countries with the Indian delegation led by Mizoram’s Champhai district Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Kumar Bidhuri and Falam Township Administration Officer U Khin Maung Win accompanied by other Burmese officials.

Burmese authorities have made an agreement with the Indian government to allow ‘unrestricted entry’ of Indian citizens from Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh up to 16km inside its territory with no requirement of obtaining a visa or passport, according to the Mizoram government official.

Likewise, the new Indo-Burma deal will open up border for Burmese nationals to make a visit up to 16km inside the four northeastern states of India.

India and Burma share a 1643 km long border. The Economic Times of India said that the two countries have come to terms with issues on tackling the ‘illegal’ trading of rare orchids, animal organs, drugs and sandalwood.

It was the third meeting held by officials from India and Burma, with the first taking place in Mizoram State in November last year. ‘Unconfirmed’ sources said that dozens of trucks carrying weapons from India have recently been seen entering Burma, with speculation that they might be used in the ongoing armed conflict in ethnic areas, especially in Kachin State.

Bilateral relations between India and Burma have strengthened considerably in the past few months after exchange of visits by leaders of both Asian countries, including a recent state tour to India by President Thein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win.

Hmar refugees take shelter in Mizoram's Kolasib district

noreply@blogger.com (Zo Indigenous Forum) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:58:00 +0000

Hmar refugees take shelter in Mizoram's Kolasib district

20th October Aizawl: About 200 Hmar refugees from Dima Hasao district have taken shelter in Mizoram's Kolasib district along the Assam border. Police said 176 Hmar refugees, belonging to 44 families from the district, fled following ethnic clashes between Dimasas and other tribes since Sunday.

The Hmar refugees came to Bairabi, the only railway link in Mizoram, where 132 refugees have taken shelter at the homes of their relatives. Police said while 18 refugees stayed at Phainuam village, 16 others took shelter at their relatives' homes in Saihapui and Saipum villages.

"The refugees started arriving from Monday," an official said. Many refugees belonging to Hmar, Kuki and other ethnic communities have fled Assam's hill districts and took shelter in Mizoram earlier due to threats of Dimasa insurgent groups and other militants. Some of them stayed back at Vairengte and Phainuam areas, bordering Cachar in Assam.

Violence broke out in the district on Sunday as suspected tribal militants torched 19 houses of Dimasas and sprayed bullets targeting fleeing villagers, killing one person and injuring three others.

"The miscreants involved in the incidents are from outside the Dima Hasao area. They have infiltrated from neighbouring states or districts to vitiate the situation here. The area has been peaceful so far after the surrender of major militant groups over the years", said a police officer.

Source: Times of india