Mizoram: C Lalchhandami quits as MSCW Chief after MNF protest

AIZAWL: C Lalchhandami has resigned as the chairperson of the Mizoram State Commission for Women (MSCW) following a protest by the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).

Lalchhandami submitted her resignation to the social welfare department secretary on Saturday.

The MNF has been demanding the resignation of Lalchhandami citing she has already crossed the age limit for the post and that her appointment was illegal.

According to the Mizoram State Commission for Women Act 2004, any person, who has crossed 65 years, can't be appointed as chairperson for the commission.

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The MNF demanded that Lalchhandami should tender her resignation on or before September 9, failing which it warned of stringent action.

The party has also filed a police complaint over her appointment.

Lalchhandami was appointed as the chairperson of MSCW in March this year.

In her resignation letter submitted to the social welfare department secretary, Lalchhandami said that she has to tender her resignation to save the image of the commission and protect its reputation as the issue has snowballed into a political vendetta.

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She also claimed that she could have continued as the chairperson as per the law because she has not attained 65 years yet.

However, she chose to resign as she was not in a position to enthusiastically continue in her post amid strong protests from a political party, she said.

Lalchhandami also claimed that during her five-month tenure, the commission has heard over 100 cases, which was far greater than the 86 cases heard from May 2019 to February 2024.

80 per cent out of 100 cases have been amicably resolved or disposed of, which indicated a great achievement made by the commission during five months, she said.

Social welfare minister Lalrinpuii had earlier defended the government over the appointment of Lalchhandami stating that there is no any irregularity from the government side.

As per the birth certificate submitted by Lalchhandami, she was born in 1960, she said.

The government accepted the birth certificate and accordingly, Lalchhandami can work as the chairperson of MSCW, Lalrinpuii said.