Assam Rifles "stops" Mizoram minister's convoy, sparks political row
Aizawl: Mizoram opposition legislators, a party and a student body on Friday vehemently blamed the Assam Rifles for allegedly stopping a minister's car and convoy during a routine checking near Aizawl on Thursday.
A statement issued by the MNF legislature party said that state power and electricity minister F Rodingliana was disturbed and delayed on the highway for a long time by Assam Rifles troopers while he was returning home after executing his official duty.
While blaming the paramilitary force, the legislators said that Thursday's incident was an insult to the Mizo community and democracy.
Lone Congress legislator C. Ngunlianchunga and party president Lal Thanzara also blamed the Assam Rifles and termed the incident 'unfortunate.'
State apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and the youth wing of ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) said that they took the matter seriously and termed the action of Assam Rifles as an insult to the Mizo people, who elected the minister as their representatives.
During a meeting on Friday, the MZP passed resolutions demanding the authority concerned to investigate the matter and identify the person(s), who gave order to stop the minister's convoy and he be transferred from Mizoram.
The student body also said it will write to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over the incident.
F Rodingliana alleged that his car and carcade were stopped by Assam Rifles on the outskirts of Aizawl while he was returning home from east Mizoram's Champhai town on Thursday which resulted in a heated argument.
The Assam Rifles denied the allegation and said that the minister's convoy was not stopped and that it was halted on its own despite giving clear passage.
The minister said that the paramilitary force had set up a barricade on NH-54 between Aizawl Tuirial on Thursday and a few metres after they passed the barricade some Assam Rifles troopers stopped his car and troubled him despite explaining to them that he is a minister.
The Assam Rifles claimed that the convoy stopped on its own where civilian vehicles were being checked.
The minister's personal secretary and other staff got down from the vehicle and allegedly verbally abused the troops, it said.