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Assam Rifles relocation marks new chapter for Mizoram: Amit Shah

Aizawl, Mar 15 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the relocation of Assam Rifles from the heart of Aizawl to Zokhawsang marks a new chapter for Mizoram and demonstrates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to the state’s development.
Shah attended the formal exchange of maps between Assam Rifles director general Lt. General Vikas Lakhera and Mizoram’s commissioner and secretary for the General Administration
Department Vanlaldina Fanai at the 23 Sector Assam Rifles headquarters in Khatla, Aizawl.
He emphasised that shifting the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters will enable the much-needed expansion of Aizawl city.
The new Assam Rifles headquarters at Zokhawsang, about 15 km east of Aizawl, has been equipped with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the battalion.
Shah described the relocation as a historic milestone, noting that Assam Rifles had occupied its Aizawl base since 1890. He called it a significant step forward for Mizoram’s development, underscoring the Modi government’s keen interest in the progress of the Northeast region.
He congratulated Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Assam Rifles authorities, and the people of the state, urging the government to make optimal use of the land vacated by Assam Rifles.
He also highlighted that the move was in response to the long-standing aspirations of Mizoram’s people, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to the state’s welfare.
Shah reiterated the Union government’s vision of strengthening connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of the country while fostering peace and development.
He pointed out that such progress had been unprecedented before Modi’s tenure, citing major infrastructure projects in Mizoram, including the four-lane Vairengte-Aizawl National Highway,
the two-lane Aizawl-Tuipang highway, and the Rs 5,000 crore railway project linking Bairabi
with Sairang near Aizawl.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, in his speech, hailed the event as a historic occasion and commended the Assam Rifles for handing over their land to the state government.
He assured continued cooperation with the paramilitary force and acknowledged their role in maintaining peace and security in Mizoram.
The event was attended by State Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama, ministers, legislators, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Kumar Deka, senior officials from the Union Home Ministry and the state government, as well as Assam Rifles officers, including 23 Sector DIG Brig. Girish Upadhya.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the state government and Assam Rifles was signed in New Delhi on October 23 last year in the presence of Lalduhoma. As per the agreement, Assam Rifles will vacate all lands and properties in Aizawl, except for its 23 Sector headquarters in Khatla and the official residence of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) near Raj Bhavan in Tuikhuahtlang.
Lalduhoma had earlier stated that the battalion was expected to complete its relocation to Zokhawsang by the end of April.
The proposal to shift Assam Rifles from Aizawl was first initiated in 1988 under the Mizo National Front (MNF) government led by Chief Minister Laldenga, following the killing of 12 civilians by
Assam Rifles personnel during a protest. However, it took over three decades for the relocation to materialise.
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