The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the Assam Rifles to shift its battalion headquarters from Aizawl to Zokhawshang area in Mizoram by May 31.
An official order issued by the MHA also directed the Assam Rifles authorities to submit action taken report to the ministry on the shifting of the battalion headquarters, reports TOI.
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At present, the battalion headquarters of Assam Rifles is located in Treasury and Zodin square in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram.
Zokhawsang area is located about 15 km from the capital city of the state.
The basic infrastructure for the battalion headquarters of the country’s oldest paramilitary force had been constructed at Zokhawsang area and they had been asked to shift there from Aizawl.
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Due to the killing of 12 civilians by Assam Rifles personnel in 1988, the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by then Chief Minister Laldenga had demanded shifting of the Assam Rifles headquarters from the heart of Aizawl city.
The Assam Rifles is a central paramilitary force that is under the control of MHA and was formed in 1835.
There are currently 46 battalions of Assam Rifles with a sanctioned strength of 63,747 personnel
The main roles of Assam Rifles include the provision of internal security under the control of the army through the conduct of counter insurgency and border security operations, provision of aid to the civilians in times of emergency, and the provision of communications, medical assistance and education in remote areas.