After twoweek deadlock, EC replaces Mizoram poll officer Prohibition looms large as parties strive to woo voters
Parties, NGOS say the move will help ensure a smooth election
GUWAHATI/NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday removed SB Shashank as Mizoram’s chief electoral officer (CEO) and appointed Ashish Kundra in his place, a move welcomed by parties and influential NGOS in the state.
The order came after a body of civil societies and students’ groups demanded Shashank’s ouster, following a row over allowing Bru refugees in Tripura to cast votes from there.
Kundra, a 1996-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-goa-mizoram and Union Territories) cadre replaces Shashank ahead of the November 28 elections in the state.
The EC move ended a nearly two-week stalemate after the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (MNCC), which comprises several civil society groups, demanded Shashank’s ouster. A team deputed by the EC was sent to Mizoram last week to meet representatives of agitating groups and state government. The poll panel issued a statement that it had accepted the “broad contours” of a joint resolution submitted by the MNCC.
While Shashank had alleged interference by the state government in poll preparation work,
More than 500 policemen and nearly 6,000 civilians have died in Mizoram due to consumption of liquor in the past three years... We will ban liquor. ZORAMTHANGA, MNF president
chief minister Lal Thanhawla complained to the Prime Minister’s Office and the home minister against him. A protest was also organised in the state, with people demanding his removal. Earlier, based on Shashank’s complaint, the commission had ordered the removal of Mizoram principal secretary (home department), L Chuaungo.
“Replacement of Shashank was what we wanted and the EC agreed to the demands of Mizos. We would not like to comment on the new CEO,” said Vanlalruata, chairperson of MNCC.
T Lalthangpuii, general secretary of Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), the biggest women’s organization in Mizoram, thanked the EC for listening to the wishes of the people.
“I am sure with the decision to replace the CEO the elections in Mizoram will pass without any hiccups,” said JV Hluna, president of BJP’S state unit.
(With agency inputs)
AIZAWL: At the end of his work day, L. Sailo likes to unwind with a few pegs of whiskey. Despite a limit imposed on the purchase of alcohol, the 26-year-old who operates a two-wheeler taxi in Mizoram’s capital, is able to “manage” on most days.
But that could change once the results of Mizoram’s assembly polls scheduled for November 28, are announced on December 11. A change in government might bring back prohibition in the state. “I hope the ban on liquor is not re-imposed. It would just lead to smuggling of liquor into Mizoram from neighbouring states and we would have to pay exorbitant amounts to procure them illegally,” said Sailo.
The parties in the fray for 40 seats in the Mizoram legislative assembly include the Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram Peoples’ Movement (ZPM), the Congress, which has been in power since 2008, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janta Party.
The MNF and ZPM have promised a liquor ban.
In 2015, the Congress government lifted the ban imposed since 1997 and issued cards to those above 21 to purchase alcohol: a maximum of six bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (750ml) and 12 bottles of beer every month for their personal bonafide consumption.
At present the state with a population of 1.1 million people has around 30 liquor shops and two bars. “Prior to lifting of prohibition there were a lot of deaths due to drinking of spurious liquor as quality alcohol was not available,” said chief minister Lal Thanhawla, adding that the state’s revenue earnings had also improved.
MNF president Zoramthanga, a former CM of Mizoram, however, is in favour of prohibition. “More than 500 policemen and nearly 6,000 civilians have died in Mizoram due to consumption of liquor in the past three years. We will ban liquor.” A government-sponsored study on the impact of lifting the ban on liquor found 19% of all deaths recorded in four large hospitals in Aizawl during the financial year 2016-17 were alcohol-related.
The powerful church bodies in Christian-majority Mizoram also want sale of liquor to be banned.
“Lifting of the ban has become a big problem for Mizo society. Number of alcohol-related deaths went up, people became drunkards and indulged in anti-social activities,” said Rev. R. Lalbiakmawia, general secretary of the Mizoram People’s Forum, a church-sponsored election watchdog.