Aizawl people believe MNF nexus with insurgents

Aizawl, June 5 (UNI) An opinion poll conducted here has revealed that the Mizo National Front(MNF) government has nexus with insurgent groups.

The opposition had earlier accused the MNF government of the nexus.

Altogether 1,351 (68.5%) respondents of an opinion poll, jointly organised by The Aizawl Post, The Zozam Times and Mizoram University's political science department last week, believed that the MNF had a nexus with underground groups of the neighbouring states and countries as alleged by the opposition parties while a meager 369 rubbished the allegations. 239 respondents had no idea.

The opinion polls were conducted in 12 places, including government offices, taxi stands,streets and markets.

A total of 1439 respondents felt that living standards remained the same with no improvement during the 10-year long MNF rule. While 153 respondents believed that things had improved, 435 respondents said that things had worsened.

Asked whether there had been an overall improvement in the development of the state under the MNF ministry, 1,202 respondents gave a negative response while 528 said, ''There has been an improvement.'' As many as 1,812 respondents justified the farmers' grievances, while 119 respondents did not justify and 92 respondents had no idea.

In a question of which party would be the best for Mizoram, Zoram Nationalist Party(ZNP) topped with 185 votes closely followed by the MNF with 150 votes. Mizoram People's Conference received 124 votes and Congress stood at the bottom with only 104 votes. Again, ZNP president topped the 'most favourite CM' questionnaire with 407 votes followed by Mizoram People's Conference supreme Brig T Sailo with 297 votes. While present CM Zoramthanga received 173 votes, Congress chief Lal Thanhawl got 159 votes.

Despite the loss of faith in politicians, a majority of 706 preferred politicians to lead the state while 327 said church leaders should get involved in politics. 460 of the respondents wanted educated youth as their leaders.

Notably, 1263 respondents said the ruling MNF should not be re-elected against 244 respondents who said it should be, while 498 had no idea. The ruling MNF also regarded as failing in law and order by 1689 respondents while 138 respondents said there was no law and order failure in the MNF ministry.

While majority of the respondents supported the Young Mizo Association (YMA)'s Ruihhlo Do (war against drug and liquor), the YMA's Supply Reduction Service (SRS)'s activities were condemned by the same majority.

As many as 1568 respondents felt that anyone arrested by SRS volunteers in connection with drugs or liquor be immediately handed over to law enforcers while 341 respondents said that they should first be interrogated.

UNI