Campaign launched in Sinlung Hills Council

The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and its ally, the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), alongside the major opposition party, Mizo National Front (MNF), officially launched their campaigns for the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) elections, set for November 5. From the outset, the two main contenders engaged in sharp exchanges as the race for the 12-seat council began. Campaign launch events were held simultaneously in various towns and villages under the SHC, located in north-eastern Mizoram on Tuesday. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Home Minister K. Sapdanga, and Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, B. Lalchhanzova, were present at the ZPM-HPC campaign events. Addressing a public meeting in Sakawrdai, the largest town in the SHC, Lalduhoma alleged that agreement between the HPC (D) and the Mizoram government remains unfulfilled till date. “The Hmar people, dissatisfied with how the Mizoram government treated them, took up arms. After years of rebellion, a peace agreement was signed, but it remains unfulfilled. The previous government had allocated a meagre Rs 150 lakh for the Council, and our administration added Rs 170 lakh. Moreover, Lok Sabha MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha contributed Rs 75 lakh from his local area development funds,” he said.

Lalduhoma also highlighted his government’s focus on constructing the Tuivai bridge, which connects Mizoram and Manipur, calling it an economic lifeline for the people of the SHC. He urged the electorate to support the ZPM-HPC alliance for unprecedented development in the region. Meanwhile, opposition leader LalchhandamaRalteof the MNF accused the ZPM-led government of failing to deliver on its promises in the past ten months. “The ZPM made many promises but has done nothing. They are cash-strapped and unable to fulfil their tall claims. The promises were merely to deceive the people. Don’t believe them; their inaction over the last ten months speaks for itself,” Ralte said at a campaign event in Sakawrdai. Ralte also defended the MNF’s track record, stating that his government had laid the groundwork for the Tuivai bridge by collecting materials before their term ended, and he welcomed the ZPM’s decision to use new materials for its construction.

The upcoming election for the 12-member SHC, located along the Manipur and Assam borders, is set to be a triangular contest, with the BJP only contesting in 2 seats. The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) will contest all 12 seats. ZPM is fielding candidates in eight constituencies, while its ally, the HPC, is contesting in four. The MNF has fielded candidates in all 12 seats, with two candidates said to be affiliated with the HPC (Reformed), a faction of the HPC. There are 23,794 eligible voters (11,875 men and 11,914 women) for the SHC elections, according to the final electoral rolls published on September 30. The SHC consists of six seats in Aizawl district, four in Saitual district bordering Manipur, and two in Kolasib district near the Assam border. The SHC was formed after a peace agreement between the Mizoram government and the HPC (D) on April 2, 2018, granting the council greater autonomy in managing socio-economic, political, and cultural development. The Sinlung Hills Council Act, 2018, came into effect on July 5, 2018. EOM