Mizoram Aizwal/ UNI: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has met the Director-General Assam Rifles (DGAR) Lt. General Sukhdeep Sangwan to resolve the differences between the state government and the country’s oldest paramilitary force over the entry of security personnel in the state during COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement said that both the chief minister and the director-general held interaction on the issue related to the recent standoff and also re-allocation of Assam Rifles from the heart of Aizawl city to Zokhawsang on the outskirts of the city.
Mr Zoramthnga asked Mr Sangwan to avoid a mass inter-state movement of troopers amid Covid-19 spread.
He also urged Mr Sangwan to shift their base to Zokhawsang at the earliest possible.
Expressing concern over the increasing movement of people and drugs smuggling across the border, the chief minister also urged the Assam Rifles chief to step up vigil along the Mizoram-Myanmar border.
Mizoram shares 404 km long international border with Myanmar.
The standoff between Mizoram government and Assam Rifles began in the mid of August, when 15 personnel of 46 Battalion of Assam Rifles allegedly barged into the state without complying with entry and safety protocols laid down by the state government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The state home department had alleged that the person refused to undergo mandatory screening and that 25 personnel from Aizawl were sent to Vairengte on that day to intimidate civil administration.
The state government also accused Assam Rifles of skipping Independence Day celebrations.
Assam Rifles denied the allegations and said that they were denied medical screening though they had insisted on the officials.
The force also said that the 15 personnel were denied entry to the state against the Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) directive, which exempted security personnel from the restriction of inter-state movement during Covid-19 period.
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