Mizoram PWD Commissioner removed after students' stir

AIZAWL, January 22 (PTI): Under pressure from agitation by students and associations of differently-abled people, Mizoram government today revoked the order for extension of service of Commissioner for People with Disabilities (PwD) B Sairengpuii.   Social Welfare Minister P C Lalthanliana said the government has revoked the order for extension of service of B Sairengpuii as PwD Commissioner.   Lalthanliana showed the government order in this regard to the leaders of the Mizo Students Union (MSU), spearheading the agitation demanding removal of Sairengpuii, younger sister of the Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla's wife Lal Riliani.   Thousands of students assembled near Vanapa Hall, a noted auditorium in the city, dispersed after hearing the news but not before adopting three resolutions seeking immediate appointment of a qualified person in the post of the PwD Commissioner, drafting of recruitment rules for the PwD Commissioner and compensation for students injured in clashes with the police yesterday.

  At least eight people including six policemen were injured when the police tried to disperse agitating students in front of the office of the PwD Commissioner yesterday.   The Mizo Students' Union (MSU), the Aizawl City College Joint Students Union (ACCJSU) and the Mizoram Blind Society have been protesting against the appointment and extension of the service of Sairengpuii.   They alleged that Sairengpuii, a retired state secretariat service officer, was appointed as PwD Commissioner though she did not have qualification to become one.