No starvation in Cherhlun village: Officials

Aizawl, Mar 19: State government officials today dismissed the reports of ''starvation'' in Cherhlun village under Lunglei district of Mizoram which appeared in some newspapers yesterday.

State chief secretary Haukhum Hauzel urged the press to first confirm the situation from the officials concerned before filing reports on such sensitive matters.

It was reported in some newspapers that some villagers of Cherhlun village had come to Aizawl to beg for food after their village had run short of rice.

However, the Hnahthial Sub-Divisional Officer was immediately sent to the village and he claimed that the real situation was the reverse of what the media had reported.

Regretting the ''misuse of media by some unscrupulous persons'', Mr Hauzel stressed the need for accountable reports from mediapersons.

The chief secratary said at least two lakh quintals of rice would be allotted for this year's monsoon as against 50,000 quintals usually allotted in the previous years.

He added that all possible efforts were on as regards road maintenance for this purpose.

UNI