Aizawl: The Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA), the apex body of traders in the state, has urged the government to close the ongoing Trade Expo at Lammual in Aizawl after 36 participants from other states were found without valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs).
The association also accused the organiser of violating the Central Consumer Protection Act 2019 by naming the event as “First International Star Expo.”
MIMA president P.C. Laldinthara said that the association had also submitted a petition to the Aizawl Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, urging them to immediately close the Expo for “violating laws and issuing false or misleading advertisements.”
Notably, non-state residents, particularly non-tribal people, are required to obtain an ILP to enter Mizoram. ILP is an official travel document issued to Indian citizens for entry into protected areas, including Mizoram.
Officials said the event, organised by a private agency, was originally slated to conclude on Tuesday, but the organiser now plans to extend it.
The MIMA alleged in its petition that the organiser has provided “misleading or false advertisement” by naming the event as the “First International Star Expo”, in its banners, which contravened section 89 of the Central Consumer Protection Act 2019.
“Even though it is named International Star Expo, no foreigner is taking part in the event, and all the participants are from different states across India. The organiser uses false advertisement by calling it ‘international’ without any foreign presence, which violates the law,” Laldinthara said.
The petition also highlighted major violations of food safety norms at the Expo, alleging that one of the food vendors was operating without a valid licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
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The MIMA, along with the state apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) conducted a voluntary ILP drive on October 10 during which 36 non-tribal participants from different states were caught for not possessing valid ILP, the petition said.
