Mizoram Govt to Takes Stand Against Extortion

Aizawl, Jul 9 : Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana Thursday said that the state government would take stringent action against people indulging in extortion in the name of voluntary organizations and NGOs collecting donations. Addressing a meeting of major NGOs and voluntary organizations here, Lalzirliana said that

"with too many people who refused to work hard and tried to earn a living by extorting money from businessmen including non-tribals, the peaceful atmosphere in the state has been in peril."

Expressing great concern over the increasing extortion in the state, he said, "the rampant extortion by and in the name of NGOs not only threatened peace, but also brought a bad name to our society and religion."

The home minister told the NGO leaders that such people might call it 'donation' but it is sheer extortion and is an offence as per the law.

"It is an offence, a crime, so the government cannot be a mute spectator," he said that the law would be enforced by the government against the offenders, however, powerful they might be.

The meting was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Home Lalrinmawia Ralte, Home Secretary Lalmalsawma and leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or Mizo Women federation, Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) of Mizoram Elders association, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students association and the Mizoram Educated Welfare Association (MEWA).