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Journalism of Courage
Two weeks after rebel outfit Hmar Peoples Convention Democratic ended its boycott of 15 village council by-elections,Mizorams State Election Commission announced the poll dates.
The byelections,held up for more than a year because of the boycott,will be held on July 23,State Election Commissioner C Ropianga said Tuesday. The last date for filing nominations is July 15.
Fifteen polling stations have been set up all of them classified as sensitive.
The SEC twice attempted to conduct the polls last year but the boycott thwarted the efforts,even when armed security personnel were deployed in February 2012.
In October,the second attempt fell through because not a one person came forward to contest. The government was then forced to extend the councils terms till August 2013.
The HPCD has long been demanding a Hmar Autonomous District for the minority Hmar tribe in north Mizoram and parts of Manipur.
