Lamka, December 06 2008: Former HAC Chairman N Songchinkhup was Friday voted as the Chairman of Zomi Council, an apex body of the Zomis comprising eight indigenous sub-tribes.

In a closely contested poll today at SYO hall here, a veteran leader of the tribe LB Sona lost to the former MLA of Thanlon sub-division as six frontal organisations of the Zomis and leaders from familial sub-tribes such as Zou, Mate, Simte, Kom, Tedim-Chin, Paite, Vaiphei and Thangkhal franchises their rights to choose the Chairman.

By far the Zomi Council executives were usually a nominated body though there was a clearly defined system of election in place.

but this year was different as the former MLA took on the seasoned leader.

The recent development such as the SoO between tribal armed groups and the government and the ever increasing number of tribes pledging their loyalty to the Zomi, giving its political tone a new dimension are considered to be the factors behind the excitement this time.

The apex body of Kom tribe, the Kom Union Manipur had accorded acceptance to assimilation as a Zomi affiliate as recent as in October, making the number of Zomi affiliated sub-tribes eight.

With the Zomis now commanding a great deal of support and loyalty from the kindred tribes of the state, the erstwhile diminutive tribes is struggling for recognition and the today's development is yet another step in that direction.

TBCA youth festival (Imphal):Under the theme of 'Ever Glowing', the Youth Union, TBCA would be organising a youth festival from December 10 to 11 at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground, Ukhrul.

IPS officer IK Muivah would inaugurate the festival as chief guest and it would be attended by retired Justice WA Shishak as resource person.

The main highlights of the festival include talent night, gospel night, traditional costume show, gospel concert, food carnival, exhibition (handicraft) games and entertainment.

Bomb retrieved: Bomb experts of the State Police Department today retrieved a hand grenade which was allegedly left behind by unidentified persons at the Keikhu Awang Leikai residence of Md Aziz Khan, who is the Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

The bomb was reportedly left near the iron shutter of the veranda of the house at around 7.50 am today.

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