Aizawl: A reply by Mizoram home minister K Sapdanga in the state assembly on Thursday has revived a controversy over CM Lalduhoma’s reported reservations about the state human rights commission (SHRC).Replying to Congress legislator C Ngunlianchunga during the Question Hour, Sapdanga said his department had no knowledge about the commission being an obstruction in cleansing of societal problems, nor did it pose any problem for the Mizo society or the state.Opposition members raised strong objections to Lalduhoma’s reported remarks, published in a leading Mizoram daily, that the establishment of SHRC had been delayed over concerns that it could hinder the enforcement of social sanctions used in Mizoram since the era of the chiefs.They accused Lalduhoma, who also holds the law portfolio, of advocating mob rule instead of the rule of law. The Opposition also alleged that his remarks could harm the reputation and dignity of the commission.Intervening in the discussion, Lalduhoma said the constitution of SHRC had both advantages and disadvantages. “Even as the Supreme Court and the central govt had pressurised state govts to establish SHRC, all the states were reluctant to establish the state commissions,” he said.The CM said the Mizo society had its own customary laws and social sanctions to address social evils through community and civil society institutions.“I still want to state that I have reservations about the possibility of SHRC hindering the enforcement of the customary law and social sanctions by the civil societies,” he added.The SHRC was recently established in Mizoram after the chairperson and members of the commission were sworn in, following a prolonged delay and pressure from the Gauhati high court.
