Aizawl, Mar 15: The relocation of the Assam Rifles establishment from Aizawl to Zokhawsang was formally completed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mizoram on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Shah highlighted the necessity of the move, stating, “Due to limited space available, the development of Aizawl has not happened. For the development of Aizawl hill town, the shifting of the Assam Rifles establishment is necessary. It is an administrative decision taken after the interest shown by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The demand to shift the Assam Rifles establishment dates back to 1988, when the then Mizo National Front (MNF) government, led by former Chief Minister Laldenga, called for the relocation following allegations that the paramilitary force had killed 11 civilians in a violent clash. The Mizoram government has expressed interest in utilizing the vacated land for various development purposes.

As per the agreement, Assam Rifles will retain its 23 Sector Headquarters, Mizoram Range in Aizawl’s Khatla neighborhood (95.88 acres), and the DIG residence near Raj Bhavan at Tuikhuahtlang area (0.85 acre).

In February 2019, the Union Home Ministry had directed the Assam Rifles to relocate to Zokhawsang by May 31 of that year, a move that has now been officially completed.

He further emphasized the central government’s commitment to the Northeast, noting, “Since independence until 2014, the Prime Minister of India visited the Northeast only 21 times. But after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he has visited the region 78 times in the last 10 years. Additionally, in the same period, Union ministers have visited the Northeast 700 times.”

Highlighting the government’s development initiatives, Shah added, “After our government came to power, development and peace have come to the northeastern states, which were previously affected by insurgency and underdevelopment. For the construction of National Highway 502(A) in Mizoram and a four-lane road in Aizawl, ₹2,500 crores have been allocated.”

He also announced the establishment of a 164-bed super-specialty research center in Mizoram, reaffirming the central government’s focus on prioritizing the needs of the northeastern states.

Read: Assam Police gears up with modern warfare training

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