𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐲 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬?

 Written by: Albert Mapuia 

An incident that has triggered widespread concerns in Mizoram involves a state minister, in charge of Power & Electricity, Commerce & Industries, and Printing & Stationery, who is also the MLA of Lengteng Assembly Constituency. The minister was stopped multiple times by the Assam Rifles during an official tour of his constituency, which shares an international border with Myanmar and an interstate boundary with Manipur. The minister, whose tour was part of his routine duties in border areas, was stopped near Kawlbem village by Assam Rifles personnel, raising serious questions about the conduct of central forces and their respect for state authority.

The incident unfolded when the minister’s convoy was halted near Kawlbem, a remote border village, where a jawan from the Assam Rifles stopped his vehicle and his carcade, subjecting him to questioning. Despite the minister’s official status, he was interrogated and, only after a brief discussion, was allowed to proceed, escorted by state police personnel.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

What followed further compounded the situation. On his way back from Kawlbem, the minister’s convoy faced more interference. The Assam Rifles attempted to stop him again, first at the outskirts of Ngopa town and later near Seling town. At Seling, the Mizoram police placed a District Executive Force (DEF) team to ensure that the minister’s convoy could proceed without hindrance, allowing his team to pass through the barricades set by the Assam Rifles.

However, the situation intensified shortly after crossing the Tuirial River on the way to Aizawl. The Assam Rifles laid spike strips across the road to stop the convoy, and a jawan stood directly in front of the minister’s car, raising his firearm in a clear display of force. Despite the heightened tension, no vehicle checks were carried out. In fact, the duty commander stated that their actions were part of efforts to curb arms smuggling from Manipur—yet notably, no other private or public vehicles passing through were subjected to checks. Instead, it appeared as though the minister’s convoy was singled out, while other private and public vehicles were allowed to pass through without any inspection.

𝐀 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡?

This repeated stopping of a state minister, particularly in peaceful areas of Mizoram, is seen by many as an intentional act to disrupt the official tour of an elected representative. The fact that no security checks were carried out on the minister’s vehicle—nor on any of the civilian vehicles passing through—suggests that these actions were not part of a broader security protocol but rather a deliberate attempt to interfere with the minister’s movement.

Political observers have raised concerns about the legality and necessity of these actions. Mizoram is not classified as a disturbed area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), and its law and order are managed by the state government. The Assam Rifles’ actions, therefore, appear to represent an overreach of their authority, infringing on the state’s constitutional autonomy.

𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

While the Assam Rifles are mandated to maintain security along the international boundary with Myanmar, particularly in sensitive border areas like Kawlbem, this incident appears to go beyond legitimate security concerns. Mizoram’s borders have remained largely peaceful, and the state government has effectively managed law and order within its jurisdiction. The repeated attempts to stop the minister’s convoy, especially with the use of spike strips, raises questions about whether these actions were justified or a breach of protocol.

The Ministry of Home Affairs must urgently address this issue, as the repeated stoppages of a state minister during an official duty could signal a breakdown in the relationship between central paramilitary forces and state governments. If the Assam Rifles were acting under valid intelligence or responding to a credible threat, transparency is essential to explain their actions. However, if these were arbitrary or politically motivated stoppages, it represents a violation of the constitutional rights of the minister and the state government.

𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

This incident is likely to reignite discussions about the role of central forces in Mizoram and other Northeastern states, where the presence of paramilitary forces like the Assam Rifles is often seen as excessive, especially in peaceful areas. The minister, as a constitutional representative of the people of Mizoram, should have the freedom to conduct official tours without unnecessary interference.

The Ministry of Home Affairs must take this matter seriously to ensure that central forces do not undermine the authority of state officials. The situation near Kawlbem, Ngopa, Seling, and Tuirial villages highlights the delicate balance between national security and the state's constitutional rights.

The repeated stopping of a state minister’s convoy, especially without any credible security checks, poses a deeper concern regarding the overreach of central forces in states where peace prevails. Mizoram has maintained its stability for decades, with the state's law enforcement agencies effectively managing its borders and internal security. In such a context, the interference of the Assam Rifles raises doubts about whether their actions were proportionate or necessary.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Mizoram government is expected to seek clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the Assam Rifles’ actions. It is crucial for the central government to address the situation swiftly to avoid further escalation. If the Assam Rifles had legitimate security reasons for halting the minister’s convoy, these should be communicated transparently to the state authorities. However, if it is found that these actions were unnecessary or politically motivated, accountability must be ensured.

The people of Mizoram, who have long prided themselves on peace and stability, will undoubtedly view this incident with concern. The targeting of a state minister’s convoy sends a troubling message about the respect for their elected representatives. As the conversation on the role of central forces in the Northeastern states continues, it is vital for the central government to recognize the importance of maintaining constitutional balance. Mizoram, like any other state, deserves the autonomy to govern without undue interference, particularly when it comes to the movement and operations of its leaders.

In the coming days, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ response will be closely watched, not just by the people of Mizoram but by all those concerned with the federal fabric of India. This incident serves as a reminder that while national security remains a priority, it should not come at the cost of undermining the constitutional rights of state governments and their officials.