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 ministerโs 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 ministerโs official status, he was interrogated and, only after a brief discussion, was allowed to proceed, escorted by state police personnel.
๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ: ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง?
What followed further compounded the situation. On his way back from Kawlbem, the ministerโs 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 ministerโs 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 ministerโs 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 Manipurโyet notably, no other private or public vehicles passing through were subjected to checks. Instead, it appeared as though the ministerโs convoy was singled out, while other private and public vehicles were allowed to pass through without any inspection.
๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก?
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 ministerโs vehicleโnor on any of the civilian vehicles passing throughโsuggests that these actions were not part of a broader security protocol but rather a deliberate attempt to interfere with the ministerโs 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 Riflesโ actions, therefore, appear to represent an overreach of their authority, infringing on the stateโs constitutional autonomy.
๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง?
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. Mizoramโs borders have remained largely peaceful, and the state government has effectively managed law and order within its jurisdiction. The repeated attempts to stop the ministerโs 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.
๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐-๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
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 ministerโs 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.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
The Mizoram government is expected to seek clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the Assam Riflesโ 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 ministerโs 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 ministerโs 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 Affairsโ 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.
