Month: May 2012

Aizawl, May 27 NNN : At the backdrop of the Hmar outfit accusing the Mizoram government of reluctant to implement the Memorandum of Settlement signed in 1994, Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana warns those elements who attempted to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Mizoram and its people. He said that as Mizoram is the most peaceful state of India, therefore the state government wants that everyone should live without fear and should not support any insurgency-related activities.
He said this while gracing the inauguration programme of Keifang Venglai Hall.
R. Lalzirliana said that all the ‘Zo tribes’ (Zohnahthlak) coming from east, west, north, south, despite speaking different dialects, should not be mocked at for their peculiarities. “Those who intend to divide Mizoram should be fought back by everyone”, he warns.
“Good mannerism, chivalry, respect for elders, helping of the needy, and caring for the poor- who maintains all these are part of Mizo traditions,” the state home minister said.
“The Mizoram government would not support any demand of the creation of Autonomous District Council and other related demands; and the government does not have any will to give any Autonomous District Council in any constituency”, the Mizoram Home Minister said.
R.Lalzirliana further said that because of the act of a “few rascals” no one should be identified in terms of ethnicity. “However, regarding those who disturb the Mizoram government and its people, the government would no longer tolerate”, R. Lalzirliana said, adding, “As all the ‘Mizo tribes’ (Mizo hnahthlak) are brothers and sisters, to live peacefully is what the Mizoram government wants”.
Few days ago, the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) General Headquarters, Sakawrdai Mizoram had alleged that the Mizoram government has been reluctant in implementing the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed in 1994. The Hmar outfit then accused that the intervention of Young Mizo Association (YMA) recently in the HPC’s demand for Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, has been acting as disintegration force of the Mizos rather than unifying the community.
The HPC had also said that when Mizoram was given the status of Union Territory under Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Act, 1971 and North Eastern areas (Re-organisation) Act 1971, it had been deleted from Sixth Schedule Para 20, Part III since 29 April 1972. “It no longer was Tribal Area, which will be regretted in future, and the then Mizo leaders are responsible for this. The districts of Lai, Mara and Chakma are the only districts under the Sixth Schedule. All these districts are within Mizoram, and are still administered by the ministers and government officials, and they never separated themselves from Mizoram, nor can’t they do so. Likewise, the Hmar people have simply demanded the creation of Autonomous District Council, which will but safeguard the Mizos”, the HPC stated.
“After such long period from 1994, the Mizoram government is not fulfilling its promise, just because it doesn’t take steps to fulfill”, the HPC stated, adding that in comparison that, the Indian Government was very faithful as it fulfilled the MoS which it signed with the Mizo National Front (MNF) in 1986.
The HPC then accused the Young Mizo Association (YMA) of disintegrating the Mizos rather than uniting the the community. “The YMA is apprehensive that the creation of Autonomous District Council is threatening the Mizo integration,” the Hmar outfit had added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/do-not-disturb-peaceful-atmosphere-mizoram-hm/

New Delhi, May 27 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Sunday said India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, and added that the two nations will consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for further development of cooperation in the years ahead.
Dr. Singh, who is visiting Myanmar from May 27 to 29 at the invitation of Myanmar President, said: “This will be my first visit to Myanmar. It will also be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar after a gap of 25 years.”
Dr. Singh, who begins a three-day visit to Myanmar beginning today in his departure statement said: “India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, which is a close friend and neighbour. Recent years have witnessed significant strengthening and expansion of our bilateral relations.”
“My visit to Myanmar will provide an opportunity to review the progress in the implementation of decisions taken during the highly successful State Visit of the President of Myanmar to India in October last year. We will also consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for the further development of our cooperation in the years ahead,” he added.
Dr. Singh said stronger trade and investment links, development of border areas, improving connectivity between the two countries and building capacity and human resources are the areas that he hoped to focus on during his visit.
“ We also hope to sign a number of Agreements/MOUs to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in these areas, besides promoting people-to-people contacts,” he added.
Asserting that India stands ready to share its democratic experiences with Myanmar, Dr. Singh said: “India welcomes Myanmar’s transition to democratic governance and the steps taken by the Government of Myanmar towards a more broad based and inclusive reconciliation process.”
Dr. Singh, who will hold talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw on Monday, said India remains committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership.
with the Government and people of Myanmar.

The Prime Minister informed that he would also be meeting leader of the opposition and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon.

“In Yangon, I will have an opportunity to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I also look forward to addressing a cross-section of Myanmar society and interact with the Indian and Indian-origin community,” said Dr. Singh.

“Our shared history and culture provides a strong basis for the enhancement of contacts between the people of our two countries. I look forward to visiting the historic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to 2600 years of Buddhist heritage, and the Mazar of the last Emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon,” he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-myanmar-to-define-roadmap-for-development-of-cooperation-pm/