The Mizoram government on Friday urged the Centre to extend assistance and send seismologists to the state to study the "ground situation" as a series of earthquakes have hit parts of the state over the past few weeks.

In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said Champhai district in the eastern part of the state has been affected multiple times due to seismic activities, ranging from 4.2 to 5.5 magnitude, since June 21.

Aftershocks were recorded in the area on more than fifty occasions, he said, adding that the tremors have caused damage to several houses, community halls and religious places.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-mizoram-extends-total-lockdown-in-cities-towns-till-june-30-307536">Covid-19: Mizoram extends total lockdown in cities, towns till June 30</a>

"In this connection, it is my request to you to kindly extend assistance to this state... Expert seismologists or geo-physicists from the Geological Survey of India may kindly be sent to Mizoram to study and assess the ground situation at the earliest," Zoramthanga wrote in his letter to Joshi.

The chief minister said the frequent earthquakes have added to psychological pressure of people at a time when they are already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

People in several areas have erected makeshift tents, where they could spend the night, as many are sceptical about sleeping indoors.

Zoramthanga also asked the Union minister to expedite the study to determine the feasibility of installing more earthquake observation centres in the eastern part of Mizoram with real time seismic telemetry for disaster preparedness.

According to the chief minister, the extent of damages caused by the recent earthquakes is being assessed by departments of geology and mineral resources, and commerce and industry with the help of geologists from the GSI-Mizoram unit.

Eight earthquakes have rocked Mizoram since June 18, with Champhai district bordering Myanmar being hit the hardest.

The Mizoram government on Friday urged the Centre to extend assistance and send seismologists to the state to study the "ground situation" as a series of earthquakes have hit parts of the state over the past few weeks.

The Mizoram government on Friday urged the Centre to extend assistance and send seismologists to the state to study the "ground situation" as a series of earthquakes have hit parts of the state over the past few weeks. In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said Champhai district in the eastern part of the state has been affected multiple times due to seismic activities, ranging from 4.2 to 5.5 magnitude, since June 21. Aftershocks were recorded in the area on more than fifty occasions, he said, adding that the tremors have caused damage to several houses, community halls and religious places. Also read| Covid-19: Mizoram extends total lockdown in cities, towns till June 30 "In this connection, it is my request to you to kindly extend assistance to this state... Expert seismologists or geo-physicists from the Geological Survey of India may kindly be sent to Mizoram to study and assess the ground situation at the earliest," Zoramthanga wrote in his letter to Joshi. The chief minister said the frequent earthquakes have added to psychological pressure of people at a time when they are already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. People in several areas have erected makeshift tents, where they could spend the night, as many are sceptical about sleeping indoors. Zoramthanga also asked the Union minister to expedite the study to determine the feasibility of installing more earthquake observation centres in the eastern part of Mizoram with real time seismic telemetry for disaster preparedness. According to the chief minister, the extent of damages caused by the recent earthquakes is being assessed by departments of geology and mineral resources, and commerce and industry with the help of geologists from the GSI-Mizoram unit. Eight earthquakes have rocked Mizoram since June 18, with Champhai district bordering Myanmar being hit the hardest.

Mizoram government urges Centre to facilitate study by seismologists on series of quakes

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said on Wednesday he is going to "break the jinx" of no party winning the third consecutive term by forming the next Congress government with full majority.

The nine-time MLA also alleged that opposition BJP, which is looking to open its account for the first time in the state, is pumping in huge money, mostly in the minority areas of Chakmas and Brus, to get votes.

"I am going to break the jinx because of our good work. I am coming with full majority," Thanhawla, who was with his wife Lal Riliani, told reporters after casting his vote at Zarkawt-II polling station in the state capital.

Neither the Congress nor its main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) could ever form the third consecutive government since Mizoram got a full statehood in 1987.

Zarkawt-II falls under Aizawl North-III constituency, from where the chief minister's younger brother and Health minister Lal Thanzara is contesting.

Spending nearly one hour at the polling booth, the couple interacted with some locals gathered in the area. They later had black tea and cookies sitting on a bench inside a garage among a bunch of kids with whom they also shared some lighter moments.

When pointed out to the opposition's main point of campaign to bring in a change due to "anti-incumbency", Thanhawla said: "They can talk anything. They have the right to talk, because ours is a free democratic country. Everybody has the right to express."

The four-time chief minister claimed that the Congress will win 27-37 seats in the ongoing Assembly elections.

On the possibility of the Congress taking support from the BJP, as the saffron party has been said to have suggested in case of a hung Assembly, Thanhawla said, "I am not open to that. By mistake, I thought I would be voting the BJP, but I could not make mistake."

The senior Congress leader also said the BJP is "unlikely to get single seat" this time.

Talking about the sensitive Chakma and Bru voters, Thanhawla said: "Chakma (area), we are winning again. Bru area, I don't know. If money power works... They have been lavished with huge amount of money."

Asked specifically who is putting in money in Chakma and Bru areas, he alleged: "The BJP of course... The leaders were called down somewhere by Himanta Biswa Sarma. They might have been lavished by huge sum of money."

Asked again, whether he meant that Assam Finance Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is buying votes with money power, the chief minister said: "I am not saying that, but I do suspect that."

The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing a third consecutive term. In 2013 Assembly elections, the Congress won 34 seats, while the main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) had won five, and Mizoram People's Conference bagged one.

The Congress and the MNF have left no stones unturned to woo voters. On the other side, BJP has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important Northeastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh. BJP president Amit Shah even declared that Christmas will be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December.

Mizoram is being seen by BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its "Congress-free Northeast" campaign as the saffron party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining the ruling coalitions in Meghalaya and Nagaland.

While the Congress and MNF are contesting in all the 40 constituencies this time, the BJP is in the fray for 39 seats.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said on Wednesday he is going to "break the jinx" of no party winning the third consecutive term by forming the next Congress government with full majority.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said on Wednesday he is going to "break the jinx" of no party winning the third consecutive term by forming the next Congress government with full majority. The nine-time MLA also alleged that opposition BJP, which is looking to open its account for the first time in the state, is pumping in huge money, mostly in the minority areas of Chakmas and Brus, to get votes. "I am going to break the jinx because of our good work. I am coming with full majority," Thanhawla, who was with his wife Lal Riliani, told reporters after casting his vote at Zarkawt-II polling station in the state capital. Neither the Congress nor its main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) could ever form the third consecutive government since Mizoram got a full statehood in 1987. Zarkawt-II falls under Aizawl North-III constituency, from where the chief minister's younger brother and Health minister Lal Thanzara is contesting. Spending nearly one hour at the polling booth, the couple interacted with some locals gathered in the area. They later had black tea and cookies sitting on a bench inside a garage among a bunch of kids with whom they also shared some lighter moments. When pointed out to the opposition's main point of campaign to bring in a change due to "anti-incumbency", Thanhawla said: "They can talk anything. They have the right to talk, because ours is a free democratic country. Everybody has the right to express." The four-time chief minister claimed that the Congress will win 27-37 seats in the ongoing Assembly elections. On the possibility of the Congress taking support from the BJP, as the saffron party has been said to have suggested in case of a hung Assembly, Thanhawla said, "I am not open to that. By mistake, I thought I would be voting the BJP, but I could not make mistake." The senior Congress leader also said the BJP is "unlikely to get single seat" this time. Talking about the sensitive Chakma and Bru voters, Thanhawla said: "Chakma (area), we are winning again. Bru area, I don't know. If money power works... They have been lavished with huge amount of money." Asked specifically who is putting in money in Chakma and Bru areas, he alleged: "The BJP of course... The leaders were called down somewhere by Himanta Biswa Sarma. They might have been lavished by huge sum of money." Asked again, whether he meant that Assam Finance Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is buying votes with money power, the chief minister said: "I am not saying that, but I do suspect that." The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing a third consecutive term. In 2013 Assembly elections, the Congress won 34 seats, while the main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) had won five, and Mizoram People's Conference bagged one. The Congress and the MNF have left no stones unturned to woo voters. On the other side, BJP has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important Northeastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh. BJP president Amit Shah even declared that Christmas will be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December. Mizoram is being seen by BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its "Congress-free Northeast" campaign as the saffron party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining the ruling coalitions in Meghalaya and Nagaland. While the Congress and MNF are contesting in all the 40 constituencies this time, the BJP is in the fray for 39 seats.

Will break the jinx by forming govt in Mizoram for third time: CM Thanhawla

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9.

In a letter submitted to the visiting three-member Election Commission team headed by Jharkhand CEO L Khiangte, the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGE and W) leaders said that the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) sought by Shashank was "illogical" as the state has the reputation of being the most peaceful in the country.

Moreover, the state also has a long history of holding peaceful and free elections as witnessed by the poll panel for years, they said.

Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28 and the counting of votes on December 11.

"The scale of requisition of CAPF personnel for the coming election to the state Assembly sends a signal that the Commission and the CEO may not have faith in the employees of the state government in various processes of the election," the letter said.

It added that the Election Commission and the state CEO might consider bringing all sets of officials to handle various processes of the election if they do not have faith in the employees of the state government.

The FMGE and W also condemned the transfer of then Principal Secretary for Home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the state due to the "false and unwarranted allegations" of Shashank.

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9.

The Mizoram government employees on Tuesday told a visiting Election Commission team that they would not cooperate with the commission unless the chief electoral officer (CEO) S B Shashank was transferred before November 9. In a letter submitted to the visiting three-member Election Commission team headed by Jharkhand CEO L Khiangte, the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGE and W) leaders said that the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) sought by Shashank was "illogical" as the state has the reputation of being the most peaceful in the country. Moreover, the state also has a long history of holding peaceful and free elections as witnessed by the poll panel for years, they said. Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to be held on November 28 and the counting of votes on December 11. "The scale of requisition of CAPF personnel for the coming election to the state Assembly sends a signal that the Commission and the CEO may not have faith in the employees of the state government in various processes of the election," the letter said. It added that the Election Commission and the state CEO might consider bringing all sets of officials to handle various processes of the election if they do not have faith in the employees of the state government. The FMGE and W also condemned the transfer of then Principal Secretary for Home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the state due to the "false and unwarranted allegations" of Shashank.

Won't cooperate unless CEO is removed: Mizoram government staff