SC Criticises Govt Inaction For Mizoram's Bru Refugees

By Soibam Rocky Singh
    
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Central government affidavit stating that it was giving one t-shirt and a pant, and one bathing soap to each Bru (Reang tribes) refugees per year in Tripura came under severe criticism from the Supreme Court which remarked that such policy was forcing the displaced people to live a "horrible life."

About 35,000 Bru tribals are staying in six relief camps in Kanchanpur and Panisagar, Tripura for about 17 years after they fled their villages in Mizoram following ethnic troubles which began in October 1997.

A social justice bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur was particularly shocked at an excerpt from the affidavit filed by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) which stated that, “Efforts now on creating additional facilities in the camp life would only incentivize the Brus to their camp life in Tripura and shift the focus away from rehabilitation in Mizoram to relief measures in the refugee camps.”

Terming the affidavit as “disturbing” the bench which also compromise of Justice Uday Umesh Lalit said, “Is this how you treat people of this country. The government cannot say ‘I don’t want to improve the condition in the camp, because if it is done they will never leave’. Can you say, tomorrow I am going to throw them in gutter.”

The SC observation came while hearing public interest litigations (PILs) filed in 2005 by Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and another in 2007 by Asian Indigenous & Tribal People's, both voluntary organisation working for the welfare of the tribals

In the affidavit, the MHA said it was making concerted efforts in close coordination with the state government of both Mizoram and Tripura to bring the Bru (Reane tribes) refugees back to their native state. It also claimed that 1210 Reang families with over 5,000 members have gone back to Mizoram as part of the repatriation programme.

While the MHA said it had released about Rs 231 crores to Tripura government and Rs 35 crores to Mizoram government as grant-in-aid for the refugees, the SC said if the number was worked out for the 17 years duration it comes to an amount less than one lakh rupee per refugee per year.

Other measures taken by the MHA such as providing one bathing soap per head once in a year, one t-shirt and one pant piece per adult per year, one mosquito net and blanket per family once in three years attracted the SC’s ire.

The apex court directed the Centre, in consultation with the two states, to file a proper affidavit in four weeks giving a time-bound action plan for the rehabilitation of the displaced tribes. It said the plan should not be "unilateral" and all stake holders including the chief secretaries of the two states must be consulted.

The next date of hearing in the case is February 27.

The Tripura High Court is also seized of a public interest litigation (PIL) on deplorable conditions of Bru refugees in the relief camps.

The petition filed by one Anuradha Debbarma said the Bru community was one of the poorest communities of the area and “probably the most economically, socially backward community in Mizoram.” The PIL contended that the displaced Bru communities in these refugee camps “are not being treated like human beings.”

In May 2014, while hearing the PIL, the Tripura HC had directed the MHA to constitute a seven-member committee to ascertain the condition of the relief camps and submit a report.

Pursuant to the order, a committee headed by Rajiv Gauba, additional secretary in MHA, had submitted its report to the Tripura HC in which it stated: “based on the inspection conducted by the team it is felt that there is definitely need for improvement.”

It had also remarked that that cash dole of Rs 5 per day per adult given by the MHA “appear to be inadequate.” Relief is provided to the migrant families in kind such as rice, salt, and in cash for daily requirements.

The committee had also pointed out complaints by several migrants person that the repatriated families lacked suitable means of livelihood due to which some of them have subsequently returned to relief camps in Tripura.

It had recommended that for a successful repatriation process a revised rehabilitation package was needed. “More than the amount of one time compensation etc, the most crucial element of a successful rehabilitation package would have to be provision of a suitable livelihood.’

The committee had also said that the Mizoram government needed to ensure arrangement for instilling a sense of security among the resettled Bru families.

The hearing in the Tripura HC is fixed for February 9 next.


Source: Hindustan Times

A day after Mizoram lifted liquor ban, at least five people sentenced to community service for drunk driving

The first offender was Lalremliana (26) who was arrested on Thursday in south Mizoram's Lunglei town for creating public nuisance in an inebriated state.

Lalremliana was convicted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Lunglei district and sentenced to a prison term of one month.

Aizawl, Jan 19 : At least five people have been arrested for violation of the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014 enforced in the state from Thursday last, state excise and narcotics department officials said.

The newly-legislated act replaced the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995, in force in the state since February 20, 1997 and lifted prohibition of consumption of liquor for the first time after 17 years.   

At least five people were on Friday sentenced to perform three days of community service each while one was fined Rs 1000 after being arrested for drunk driving by law enforcement agencies under Mizoram’s new alcohol law.

All those who were sentenced on Friday were arrested in Aizawl after breath analyser tests showed they were driving under the influence – one was let go after paying a fine because he had only had a few pegs and the test showed “very low” levels of intoxication, said an official directly involved with the cases.

Although it will allow the sale and consumption of alcohol in Mizoram for the first time in almost two decades, the newly enforced Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act has stringent provisions to punish offenders, including those who cause public nuisance and who drink in public spaces.

Jail terms range from five days to five years depending on the kind of offences, but judges are also empowered to show leniency by sentencing offenders to supervised community service or, in some cases, fining them.

Those who were sentenced on Thursday will be required to clean up the Aizawl Civil Hospital and District Court premises for three days.

The government says liquor outlets will open across the state by the first week of March.

Relatives of Accused Murderer Deny His Excuse Before A Court Mizoram:

Aizawl, Jan 19 : Relatives of the man accused of hacking to death five members of an Aizawl family – among them a kindergarten student and a teenage boy – have issued a public statement denying their son’s claim before a judge that he worked as a wood carpenter in the victims’ home and that he was denied a month’s wage.

Laltlanchhuaha, 37, had claimed before a court that he had acted in a fit of rage when he killed Sangliansiama, his wife, their son, Sangliansiama’s sister and their teenage relative following an argument with the head of the family over the alleged non-payment of his wages.

The accused had hacked to death the five family members in their own home on the evening of January 9, but was caught by neighbours as he tried to escape and was handed over to police, who spirited him off to jail as thousands gathered at the crime scene and a mob demanded he be handed over.

In their public statement, Laltlanchhuaha’s relatives said he “did not work in [the victims’] house or under them” and Sangliansiama’s family “did not owe any money” to them.

“We sincerely regret our son Laltlanchhuaha’s reported confession before a magistrate…that is causing much hurt for the relatives of Sangliansiama and his family, who have always loved us and have been close family friends,” the public statement issued by the accused’s relatives, signed by his father Parzuala, said.

“We beg for the forgiveness of Sangliansiama’s extended family, the neighborhood and the people of Mizoram,” the statement added.

The massacre of Sangliansiama’s family has left Mizoram in shock, and the neighborhood where the crime was committed is currently observing a week of mourning by hoisting black flags at every home.

Top politicians and church leaders across the state have expressed their sadness at the massacres, considered the worst in the state’s history, while social media remains abuzz with condolences for the deceased family.

5 Arrested For Cyber Offence in Mizoram

Aizawl, Jan 16 : Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today said the state police has arrested five persons for spreading false information on social media.

Addressing a press conference in Aizawl, Lalzirliana said that Ruth Chalthansawmi (23) of Aizawl and her four accomplices were arrested on charges of spreading false information in the social media.

The accused allegedly posted on social networking site Facebook that a girl was gangraped and the victim died after being brought to the Aizawl Civil Hospital.

The 'news' sent shock waves in the capital city which was rocked by the massacre of five members of a family on Friday night last.

The cyber accused were booked under Section 66 of the IT Act and Section 203 of the IPC.

Police were interrogating to know why they resorted to such act of spreading false information, the minister said.

State IGP Zorammawia said that 50 people have been booked under cyber law since 2009 with 24 people booked during last year.

Rajyavardhan Rathore says discrimination against North East Indians a 'problem of both sides'

Aizawl, Jan 16 :  Speaking on discrimination faced by the people from the North Eastern Region in other parts of the country, Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday said the problem lies with both sides and it's a result of "cross-alienation".

Speaking on discrimination faced by the people from the North Eastern Region in other parts of the country, Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday said the problem lies with both sides and it's a result of "cross-alienation".

"We get to hear about the discrimination faced by people from North East in popular media. I feel it is an issue of cross-alienation. The problem is from both the sides.

"A smile or a casual greeting can break the ice. It is also the responsibility of our friends from that part of the country to prevent themselves from being alienated," Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rathore said. At an inter-state student exchange programme organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Rathore also spoke about certain measures being taken to stop "brain drain" from the region.

"The best minds of the region are moving out. The central government has zeroed in on two factors to curb this trend. We are working to build strong transportation and communication facilities in the region. Steps are being taken to convince industries to set up their business in the region," he said.
The Union Minister said the government is underlining the importance of an "Act East policy" going the beyond the 'Look East' policy through a slew of initiatives to promote the interest of the region.

"Though the UPA government talked about 'Look East' policy, we have underlined the importance of an 'Act East' policy," he said. According to Rathore, the government is planning to launch three more news channels for the North Eastern Region, in addition to the one launched in Arunachal Pradesh last year.

"We also have plans to open more AIR and community radio stations in the region. A permanent location for the IIMC building in Aizawl is being worked out along with the setting up of a film Institute in the North East," he said.

Stating legislations can help solve problems "only to an extent", Rathore underscored the need for greater exchanges between the people of the region and the rest of the country.

"The government is working to solve the out-of-sight out-of-mind situation regarding the northeast. Legislations can only help in solving a problem to an extent. Various non-governmental efforts are required for greater exchange," he said.

Mizoram Lifts 17-year-Old Liquor Ban

Aizawl, Jan 15 : Mizoram today lifted the 17-year-old ban on consumption of liquor in the state nevertheless with strict punishment for drunken driving amd brawls in public places.

The state government enacted Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act (MLPC), 2014 coming into force today replacing the stringent Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1995, Commissioner of Excise and Narcotics L Hmunsanga said.

The new legislation legalises consumption of liquor for the first time since last 17 years in the state.

The law however, would be extremely strict on drunken driving and drunken brawls in public places and would invite imprisonment for several months, the official said.

Though the MLPC Act was now in force, wine shops would be able to sell liquor only from March as preparations were in full swing for the implementation of the new law.

State Excise and Narcotics Minister R Lalzirliana had earlier hinted that retail wine shops would be run by sick PSUs like Mizoram Food and Allied Industries Ltd (MIFCO).

Forest guards gun down three poachers in Assam's Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga, Jan 15 : Three poachers were today killed in two encounters with forest guards in Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

On a tip off about the entry of a group of poachers into the Park, forest guards launched an operation in Burapahar Range, Divisional Forest Officer SK Sil Sarma said.

Guarding the park. Reuters

On facing the forest guards, the poachers fired at them and in an encounter one poacher was killed around 3 am near Borghat forest camp, Sarma said.

On being chased, the two fleeing poachers engaged in a fierce gun battle with the guards for about 25 minutes before they were killed, he said.

Two 303 rifles fitted with a silencer and one round of ammunition as well as a 9-mm pistol with nine rounds of ammunition were recovered from the slain poachers, the DFO said.

The poachers were suspected to have come from adjacent Karbi Anglong hills side, he said.

Patrolling against poaching in the World Heritage Site had been intensified after one rhino was killed on 1 January this year and two on 4 January, a forest department official said.

Police Investigate False Social Media News Alleging Gangrape, Murder

By Adam Halliday

Aizawl, Jan 14 : Police in Mizoram capital Aizawl have launched an investigation into who spread what has turned out to be false rumors alleging a gangrape and murder in a city neighborhood.

Rumours that seven men had gangraped and killed an unidentified woman in the Tuikhuahtlang locality began spreading on Whatsapp and other social media on Tuesday evening, quickly escalating to the point local leaders and police were kept on their toes trying to confirm if the incident did take place.

“We received many calls beginning around 6 pm inquiring if what was being said on social media was true. Some of us had even gathered together. It caused quite a stir in the locality,” said Vanlalfela, vice president of the locality’s Young Mizo Association unit.

Vanlalfela and other local leaders decided, after they realised the “news” was a hoax, to file a complaint with the police.

Police have registered an FIR under IPC section 203, which deals with the spread of wrong information, and section 66(A) of the IT Act. A senior officer said no arrests have been made by the time of filing this report.

The rapid spread of information about incidents, especially tragic ones, across Mizoram through social media has sometimes led to various law and order problems in the state.

Last week, thousands had gathered at the crime scene within the hour of a murder, some among the crowd turning violent as they demanded the suspect be handed over to them. In that incident, pictures of the victims’ bloody bodies also spread rapidly across the city as well as through the state.

In another recent murder case, pictures of the victim’s decomposing body also spread rapidly on social media.