Mizoram: Ex-CEM of Chakma Autonomous District Council Convicted in Graft Case

AIZAWL: A court in Mizoram has convicted Kali Kumar Tongchangya, the former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), in a graft case. The judgement was delivered by Special Judge HTC Lalrinchana of the Aizawl district court, specializing in the prevention of corruption acts, on Monday, September 25.

The court is scheduled to announce the quantum of punishment for Tongchangya on Tuesday, September 26, while also cancelling his bail bond due to his involvement in the graft case.

Reports indicate that Tongchangya misappropriated a total of Rs 1.79 crore, which had originally been allocated for road construction. Instead, these funds were allegedly diverted to support his party campaign fund and party-related expenses.

The prosecution asserted that while serving as the CEM of CADC in Mizoram, Tongchangya withdrew Rs 1.70 crore from funds designated for road construction.

He was initially arrested in February 2022 but was subsequently released on a bail bond of Rs 50 thousand by the Aizawl bench of the Gauhati High Court.

Meanwhile, in other news concerning the state, Assam's Cachar police rescued eight rare species of animals in a special operation launched against the illegal transportation of wildlife in the areas along the Assam-Mizoram border. Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatta said, “During the operation, eight rare species of animals were recovered and five Mizo persons were apprehended. They were identified as Hmingkopuia (41), F Lalchandama (29), Lalrintluanga (24) and Jenny Lalruatkimi (30). The rare species of wildlife were identified as two Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus imitator- a rare species of monkey), two Common Opossums, also called Southern or black-eared Opossum, rare monkey and four black gorillas. The animals had been handed over to the forest department for taking further action.”

The caged animals were recovered from a vehicle coming from Mizoram, according to Cachar police officers. “We believe that exotic animals were smuggled from a neighbouring country and the shipment was intended for another Indian state. To get further information, we are questioning the people in custody,” said police officials. After being rescued, the caged animals were handed over to forest rangers, and were moved to the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.

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