Day: March 11, 2013

SHILLONG/DIMAPUR, March 11 NNN: Several similarities have been identified between Meghalaya chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio by Newmai News Network.
Mukul Sangma and Neiphiu Rio have Manipur connections. While Meghalaya chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma was trained from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio married a woman from Manipur in Kaisa Rio.
Younger brothers of both the chief ministers got elected in the February 23 assembly elections of Meghalaya and Nagaland—Zenith Sangma and Zhaleo Rio. Both Neiphiu Rio and Mukul Sangma love to use fancy sun-glasses.  Both are still young and dynamic.
Both Mukul Sangma and Neiphiu Rio won the tussles for the chiefministership over their respective former bosses in their respective state. DD Lapang’s chance of becoming the chief minister was spoilt by the meteoric rise of Mukul Sangma while Neiphiu Rio ditched his former boss S C Jamir to become the chief minister of Nagaland in 2003. Both of them reigns the hilly states. Both of them are good drivers and love driving. Both Mukul Sangma and Neiphiu Rio are Christians. Both of them hail from Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Both the chief ministers are often seen in western outfits. The year 2013 is another year of fortune for both Sangma and Rio. The 1990s was the formative years for both the leaders in politics. Both are from the North Eastern states of Mangoloid race.
Above all, both Mukul Sangma and Neiphiu Rio were one time home ministers in their respective state.
Finally, both Mukul Sangma and Neiphiu Rio have to travel by roads for over 70 kilometres before reaching the nearest airports from their official bungalows whenever they go to New Delhi. Sangma from Shillong to Guwahati airport while Rio to Dimapur airport from Kohima.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/newmail-unfolds-what-mukul-and-neiphiu-share/

SHILLONG, March 11 NNN: Congress Legislator from Phulbari in Meghalaya, Abu Taher Mondal made a history of becoming the first non-indigenous legislator to be elevated to the highest post as he was elected Speaker to the ninth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Monday.
This happened in spite of the staunch opposition from tribal organisations from Khasi and Garo communities. Mondal who is also former power minister of the state was elected unopposed after the nomination paper of HSPDP legislator from Nongkrem, Ardent Basaiawmoit was rejected on ground since his party colleague from Mawshynrut, Witting Mawsor came in late to second his name on the filing day.
Recently, there was stiff opposition from some quarter against the decision to appoint Mondal as Speaker citing that he is a non-tribal. Pledging to represent the state, Mondal said, “Though by name and my looks are not tribal but I will represent the state as a Speaker and whatever I speak it will be for the people,” adding “Being in this house, we can contribute a lot for the growth and development including economic upliftment of the poor in the state.”
Promise to rise in all occasion, he said, “I assure that none of my action will put down the faith that has been repose in me,” adding “It will be my endeavour to look into the interest of all the members irrespective of their position.” Earlier, all most all the legislators including oppositions stood up to congratulate and expressed full confident in the stewardship of Mondal during the felicitation to the newly elected Speaker. “People of the state will celebrate the vibrant nature of democracy as it created space for all sections,” Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma said as he congratulates Mondal for being the first non-tribal Speaker in the state.
Assuring full support and cooperation, he said, “We have full faith in your capability where you will uphold the tradition, dignity and decorum of this house and that you will provide space for all to reflect the aspiration of the people.”
Stating that Meghalaya Assembly is known for high order of debates besides dignity, decorum and discipline, senior Congress leaders, DD Lapang and Salseng C Marak asked the newly elected Speaker to maintain this reputation of the house in the highest manner and ensure justice and impartiality is delivered.
Speakers during the felicitation also appealed to Mondal to look into issues relating to the new building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and MLAs pension scheme and facilities besides maintaining neutrality while conducting the house.
“We hope that you will be able to finalize the site for the construction of the new Assembly building which is long overdue during your tenure,” UDP chief, Donkupar Roy said while requesting the Speaker to ensure that revise the MLA facilities by ensuring all elected representative are allotted with new vehicles which is a long pending demand.
His party working president, Paul Lyngdoh however said, “Today you have removed your jersey of being a party player by dawning the uniform of being a referee who is above party politics,” adding, “We look forward that you will rise above ethnicity, party politics and partisan.”
Stating that house has two football teams and the difference is that the treasury has more players than the opposition, Lyngdoh however urged the Speaker to be neutral and not to take the opposition as wrong side but as his left side.
Participating in the felicitation, NPP legislator, James Sangma while congratulating the Speaker said, “As a custodian we expect you to deliver your duty as a presiding officer with utmost dedication and sincerity.” Stating that Mondal is one of the ministers who has always show respect to the opposition, James however requested the Speaker that ample time should be given for debate in the house.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/abu-taher-mondal-as-meghalaya-speaker/

AIZAWL, Mar 11NNN: Western Development Liberation Front of Mizoram (WDLFM), which claims the responsibility of kidnapping five workers of Mizoram Forest department based in Chikha camp within Dampa Tiger Reserve on February 19, had intimidated the families of the kidnapped workers of Mizoram Forest department on March 6 last, threatening that they would take the lives of the kidnapped workers, if their demand is not fulfilled within three days.
Reacting to this report, Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana warned the militant group that if anything happens to the abducted five workers, the government will leave no stone unturned to to do away the militant group.
It has been reported that WDLFM had asked the families of the kidnapped persons to urge the state government of Mizoram to meet the outfit’s demand. The outfit had threatened to kill the 5 workers, if their demand is not fulfilled in three days’ time.
Sources also informed that while the militant group gives only one day time to the families to fulfill their demand; to some of the families, they give three days. The WDLFM had earlier demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom for the release of the abducted workers, but now they had come down to Rs 50 lakhs. In the meantime, the families of the kidnapped persons informed that they are being asked by the state government to wait for its action. Wives and children of two of the kidnapped workers of the Forest department are running from pillar to post to get their husbands released, sources said today.
Meanwhile, Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said, “I want to tell the militant group who kidnapped 5 Mizo workers, that, if they harm the kidnapped workers, the Mizoram Police will get back to the time of the Old Testament”, indicating a tit for tat treatment.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-home-minister-r-lalzirliana-warns-militant-group-newmai-news-network/