Zoramthanga pledges to develop SHC area

Newmai News Network
AIZAWL, Oct 23: Mizoram Chief Minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president, Zoramthanga on Wednesday promised to make massive efforts to develop the newly created Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) area in the northeastern part of Mizoram.
The ruling MNF and Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) on Wednesday jointly launched campaign for the first election to a 12 member SHC council.
Addressing a campaign kickoff programme at SHC headquarters in Sakawrdai village, Zoramthanga said his government would make efforts to transform the Council area from being a "dark" (underdeveloped) area into an "enlightened" area.
For decades, SHC area, which is predominantly inhabited by the Hmar people, has been derogatorily called “dark area of the north” as it not only lacks development but remains neglected.
Zoramthanga said that his government would make massive efforts to implement the peace accord signed between the Mizoram government and the erstwhile underground Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) on April 2 last year. His party would also take massive efforts to usher in development in the council area, he said.
He then expressed happiness for the MNF-HPC alliance in the run up to the election.The MNF president said that their main rival Congress is no more a big threat to the MNF-HPC alliance as the national party has "lost" its ground in most parts of the country.
Zoramthanga then appealed to voters to vote for the MNF-HPC candidates for development.
Zoramthanga was accompanied by Education minister and Tuivawl constituency MLA, Lalchhandama Ralte and Hmar leaders in today's programme. Ralte said that the MNF government headed by Zoramthanga is giving utmost attention to the development of the Hmar people.
HPC president Thangliensung, who also spoke on the occasion, thanked the chief minister and MNF led government for giving them opportunity to elect their representatives through adult franchise for the first time after more than 22 years of interim government. He then asked the chief minister to shift the council office to Sakawrdai village as it is the headquarters of the council.
As of now SHC is running its cell office in Aizawl.
Election to the 12 member SHC is due on November 5.The ruling MNF and HPC alliance has fielded all the seats in 7:5 ratio, while opposition Congress is contesting in 6 seats. However, the HPC headed by Thangliensung would contest as independent due to a court order.The BJP and National People’s Party (NPP) have fielded 2 seats each and HPC faction headed by Lalrosiem is contesting in one seat.There are 24 independent candidates, including five HPC candidates. Altogether, there are 42 candidates in the fray for SHC election.
Counting will be held on November 5, as soon as all ballot boxes reached respective constituency headquarters.