India Defence News, Aizawl, March 15, 2025 – Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah marked a historic moment for Mizoram today as he attended a ceremonial event at Sector 23 HQ Assam Rifles in Khatla, Aizawl, to oversee the relocation of the Assam Rifles headquarters from the city’s bustling center to Zokhawsang, approximately 15 kilometers away.
The event, attended by Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma, Assam Rifles Director General Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, and other dignitaries, symbolized the fulfillment of a decades-long aspiration of the Mizo people to decongest Aizawl and spur urban development.
Assam Rifles HQ Relocation Function Key Details
Event Details:
- Date and Location: Held on March 15, 2025, at Sector 23 HQ Assam Rifles, Khatla, Aizawl.
- Purpose: Marked the ceremonial relocation of Assam Rifles from Aizawl’s urban center to Zokhawsang.
- Key Attendees: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma, Assam Rifles Director General Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, and other senior officials.
2. Statements by Amit Shah:
- Described the relocation as a 35-year dream fulfilled for the Mizo people, emphasizing its role in Aizawl’s urban development and quality of life improvements.
- Highlighted broader infrastructure projects (e.g., highways, Sairang railway station) under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership.
- Congratulated Mizoram’s people and thanked Lalduhoma and Lakhera for their efforts.
3. Statements by Pu Lalduhoma:
- Expressed gratitude to Amit Shah, noting his role would be historically significant.
- Stressed the relocation’s impact on Aizawl’s development, given Mizoram’s mountainous terrain and urban planning challenges.
- Acknowledged Assam Rifles’ continued importance to state security.
4. Statements by Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera:
Appreciated the Mizoram government’s cooperation, though specifics of his speech were not detailed.
5. Ceremonial Actions:
- Exchange of maps between Pu Vanlaldina Fanai (Commissioner of GAD, Mizoram) and Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, detailing the new Zokhawsang site and the land handed over to the state.
- Inauguration by Amit Shah via lamp-lighting, with additional formalities like a prayer service and speeches.
6. Background on the MoU:
- Signed on October 23, 2024, in New Delhi, as announced by Lalduhoma in a press conference on October 26, 2024.
- Outlined the relocation process and land transfer terms.
Amit Shah’s presence underscored the Central Government’s commitment to the region’s progress, setting the stage for a new chapter in Mizoram’s growth while reinforcing the strategic role of the Assam Rifles in Northeast India’s security landscape.
SOURCE : Mizo Govt