Aizawl, July 6: On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Mizoram?s largest women?s group, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), its president B. Sangkhumi, in a public address, demanded the legislation of Mizo women?s rights by the state Assembly.

Sangkhumi said though the Mizo customary laws had been revised and approved by the state cabinet, it had marginally touched upon women?s rights. The state, she said, needed to enact new legislation as Parliament had done for Hindu and Muslim women.

?Since we find our customary laws do not safeguard the rights of Mizo women, it is our greatest wish that a legislation is passed where these rights would be safeguarded. It would be beneficial to us if the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872 is made applicable to Mizoram. However, it would be better still if a separate Mizo Christian Marriage Act is enacted,? Sangkhumi said.

She exhorted the public to think in terms of daughters and not wives and daughters-in-law while bringing in new legislation for women.

CID officer shoots thief: Mizoram police shot and wounded a criminal on Tuesday after he resisted arrest and attacked a police officer.

The CID personnel from the Aizawl special branch had been on the lookout for a motorbike thief since Monday night. The man was spotted riding the stolen motorbike on Tuesday night at Treasury Square in the city.

The man was identified as Michael Lalchhandama, 26, a resident of Chanmari West.When Lalchhandama was nabbed at Zodin Square, he slashed an officer?s thumb and tried to flee. It was then that the officer whose bike he had stolen shot at him. He was released from jail on Monday. when he stole two Maruti cars and the motorbike.

The man, who has been admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital, however, claimed he was shot at despite having surrendered. ?I was backed into a corner with nowhere to run, so I had no choice but to give up. I told the police I was sorry and put my hands up. However, I was shot anyway,? he said.