In response to yesterday's confrontation between Mizoram’s Minister of Power & Electricity, Commerce & Industries, Pu F. Rodingliana, and Assam Rifles personnel at a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) near Zemabawk, Aizawl, the minister’s office has issued a statement addressing the allegations and expressing concerns over the treatment of the minister during the incident.
The confrontation, which occurred on the Aizawl-Champhai road, involved the minister’s convoy being stopped by Assam Rifles personnel. This led to accusations of misuse of power by the minister and counter-allegations of misconduct by Assam Rifles. The minister’s office has now provided its perspective on the events, raising important questions about the role of central forces in Mizoram.
Minister Stopped Repeatedly Without Justification
According to the minister’s office, the convoy was stopped near Kawlbem, a remote border village, during the minister’s official tour of his constituency. The minister, who is also an MLA from the Lengteng Assembly Constituency, was conducting a routine inspection of the border area, which shares boundaries with both Myanmar and Manipur. Despite being escorted by state police and possessing the necessary documentation for his official tour, the convoy was stopped by Assam Rifles personnel without prior notice or justification. The personnel questioned the convoy and allowed it to proceed only after a brief discussion.
The statement from the minister’s office claims this was not the only instance where the convoy faced delays. On the return journey from Kawlbem, the convoy was stopped again, first near Ngopa town and later at Seling, where spike strips were placed across the road. The minister’s office believes these repeated stoppages were deliberate attempts to disrupt the minister’s official duties.
Allegations of Misuse of Power Unfounded
Responding to allegations that the minister misused his power by blocking the road after the MVCP, the minister’s office strongly denied these claims. It clarified that the convoy halted only after Assam Rifles personnel failed to promptly remove the barricades upon recognizing the minister’s vehicle. Contrary to reports, the convoy did not deliberately block the road for two hours, and any delay was caused by confusion between the Assam Rifles personnel and the minister’s team.
Targeted Actions Against the Minister
The minister’s office expressed deep concern over what it described as intentional interference by the Assam Rifles. The repeated stoppages, combined with the placement of spike strips and the presence of armed personnel, created a tense and intimidating atmosphere. The minister’s office claims that no vehicle checks were conducted on the convoy, nor were any other public or private vehicles stopped for inspection, raising questions about the true purpose of the MVCP. The office noted that the situation was resolved peacefully only because the minister instructed his team to remain calm and avoid escalating the matter.
Constitutional Concerns and Call for Accountability
The minister’s office emphasized the importance of maintaining constitutional balance, noting that Mizoram is not under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and does not face security threats justifying such aggressive actions by central forces. In areas where AFSPA is not in force, no paramilitary force or Assam Rifles has the power to search, seize, or make arrests unless permission is granted by the concerned District Commissioner (DC). Even then, such actions must be carried out in coordination with state police personnel. The minister’s office has called for accountability, stating that the actions of Assam Rifles represent an overreach of their authority, violating the rights of the state government and its officials.
The statement stressed that the people of Mizoram have long prided themselves on peace and stability, and the role of Assam Rifles in a peaceful state should be limited to legitimate security concerns, not interference in the functioning of elected representatives. The minister’s office has also requested an explanation from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the actions of Assam Rifles personnel and urged the central government to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Looking Forward: A Request for Dialogue
The minister’s office concluded by expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the incident. It emphasized the need for improved coordination between state authorities and central forces, calling for constructive dialogue to prevent further disruptions. The statement reiterated the minister’s commitment to upholding the interests of Mizoram’s citizens and maintaining the state’s longstanding peace and stability.
Broader Implications
This confrontation, along with the water and electricity disputes, underscores the growing tension between Mizoram’s civilian authorities and central paramilitary forces. The recent actions, including the use of spike strips and roadblocks, have escalated concerns about the Assam Rifles' approach in Mizoram. Mizoram’s borders have remained largely peaceful, and the state’s law enforcement agencies have effectively maintained security in the region. In this context, the repeated interference by Assam Rifles is viewed as unnecessary and excessive, raising questions about the balance of power between central and state authorities.
Security vs. Constitutional Rights
While the Assam Rifles is tasked with securing the border with Myanmar, the minister’s office emphasized that the situation in Mizoram does not warrant such drastic measures, particularly when no security checks were conducted on the minister’s vehicle or any other passing vehicles. The incident has led to calls for accountability, with political observers pointing out that the Assam Rifles’ actions may constitute a breach of the constitutional rights of both the minister and the state government.
A Call for Accountability
The Mizoram government is expected to seek clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the conduct of Assam Rifles. Many are calling for a transparent explanation of the paramilitary force’s actions. If the Assam Rifles had valid intelligence or security concerns, state authorities argue that these should have been communicated in a manner that respected the minister’s position and did not disrupt his official duties. This incident could further strain civil-military relations in Mizoram, a state that has maintained peace and stability for decades. Political leaders and the public are concerned that such incidents could undermine respect for elected representatives and infringe on the state’s constitutional autonomy.
The Federal Fabric at Risk?
As the central government’s response is awaited, this incident highlights the broader implications for state-center relations. Mizoram, like other Northeastern states, has seen a substantial presence of paramilitary forces, often leading to concerns about overreach in areas that are not conflict zones. The repeated interference with the movement of an elected state official, combined with earlier disputes over water and electricity supplies, raises questions about the respect afforded to the state's authority and the constitutional balance between national security and state rights.
In the coming days, scrutiny is likely to increase on the Ministry of Home Affairs, as the people of Mizoram demand accountability and a resolution to the ongoing tension between state officials and central paramilitary forces.