AIZAWL: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Mizoram next month to oversee the planned relocation of the Assam Rifles’ base from central Aizawl to Zokhawsang, announced Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
During a joint meeting attended by key state officials and representatives from Assam Rifles, Lalduhoma disclosed that the decision to relocate the Assam Rifles’ base to the outskirts of the state capital had already been finalised following discussions with Shah during his visit to the national capital in June.
“We are committed to shifting the Assam Rifles’ headquarters to the designated place,” Lalduhoma said, during the meeting.
During the meeting, state officials from home and other departments also discussed the infrastructure developments at Zokhawsang intended to facilitate the relocation.
Representatives of Assam Rifles highlighted certain challenges such as relocation of existing facilities like the magazine building and firing point within the Zokhawsang complex due to the construction of a new road serving local farmers.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, including internal roads and electric transformers within the Zokhawsang complex, the authorities agreed to conduct a joint inspection to expedite necessary relocations.
Assam Rifles officials also committed to repairing internal roads and transformers, having assumed responsibility for these facilities handed over to the paramilitary force five years ago.
At present, the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters is located in Treasury and Zodin square in Aizawl city.
In February 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed the Assam Rifles to shift the battalion headquarters of the force to Zokhawsang, which is about 15 km from Aizawl.
Earlier, in the wake of the killing of 12 civilians by the Assam Rifles personnel in 1988, the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by then Chief Minister Laldenga had demanded shifting of the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters from the heart of Aizawl city.
Basic infrastructure for the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters have been constructed at Zokhawsang area and it was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Shah on April 1 last year.
