Militants' spotted in poll-bound Mizoram

Aizawl, Nov 22 (UNI) Three suspected militants armed with AK-47 rifles were spotted at Hmunzawl village under Hrangturzo constituency in eastern Mizoram on November 18, Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl (ZKP of Mizoram farmers' association) said in a statement today.

ZKP, a part of the United Democratic Alliance, alleged that the ruling Mizo National Front, which had worked with militants' groups during the 2003 elections, had reared its ugly head again.

The police and youth members of the UDA are hot on the trail of the three militants, the statement added.

It said the ruling MNF had garnered the ''support of certain underground outfits'' from the neighbouring states in the 2003 polls, particularly in Zoramthanga's Champhai constituency near Myanmar border.

The 'MNF-UG nexus' had been one of the major political issues during the last five years.

The Church-sponsored Mizoram People's Forum and the state's largest NGO Young Mizo Association have been campaigning for a free, fair and clean polls without the involvement of militants.

UNI ZS KK KK RAI1937