Centre Endorses Mizoram’s Proposal to Raise Mizo Territorial Army to Combat Cross-Border Drug Trafficking and Law and Order Challenges
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has extended his support to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s proposal to raise a dedicated Mizo Territorial Army (MTA) battalion. The proposed unit aims to address pressing law and order concerns in the border state, while also generating employment for local youth.
During a high-level meeting held in New Delhi last week, Chief Minister Lalduhoma presented a comprehensive proposal to the Union Home Minister outlining the urgent need for a localized, militarily trained force to tackle transnational smuggling of narcotics and other contrabands, largely originating from Myanmar and Bangladesh. According to officials from the Mizoram government, Shah appreciated the state’s initiative and assured his support in facilitating the required clearances and institutional backing from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
CM Lalduhoma’s Proposal: A Territorial Army Rooted in Local Realities
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer with decades of experience in national security and policing, argued that the existing law enforcement apparatus in Mizoram is under-resourced and overstretched, particularly in the remote border areas.
In his proposal, Lalduhoma outlined the following key points:
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Formation of a Mizo Territorial Army Battalion, to be structured under the existing framework of the Territorial Army but with recruitment and training tailored to the needs of Mizoram’s geography, demographics, and strategic position.
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Recruitment of Mizo youth, particularly those from rural and border areas, many of whom struggle with unemployment and limited job prospects. The CM emphasized that such a force would not only enhance border vigilance but also offer structured career pathways for young men and women.
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Deployment of MTA personnel in critical border regions including Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, and Mamit—areas that are frequently used as entry points for the smuggling of methamphetamine pills (commonly known as ‘yaba’), heroin, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, and even illegal wildlife products.
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Integration with national security efforts, allowing the MTA to work in coordination with state police, Assam Rifles, and central intelligence agencies.
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Training and logistical support from the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence, ensuring that the MTA maintains high operational standards and is equipped to respond to both drug trafficking and broader security threats.
According to officials, the Chief Minister stressed the strategic advantage of a locally grounded force: “A Territorial Army made up of Mizo personnel will be far more effective in navigating the terrain, understanding the language, and gathering human intelligence in ways that external forces cannot,” Lalduhoma was quoted as saying.
Union Home Minister’s Response and Centre’s Role
Home Minister Amit Shah, while acknowledging Mizoram as “one of the most peaceful and disciplined states in India,” assured full cooperation from the Centre in taking the MTA proposal forward. Shah agreed that the unique challenges posed by Mizoram’s 828 km of porous, unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh require a locally adapted solution.
He also promised to look into the pending proposal to transfer operational control of Lengpui Airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI)—a move that could ease connectivity and infrastructure constraints in the state.
NCB Support and Drug War Intensification
The proposal to raise the MTA comes in the wake of growing cooperation between Mizoram and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). NCB Director General Anurag Garg recently visited Aizawl and held extensive discussions with Chief Minister Lalduhoma. During the meeting, both parties agreed on the need to set up a full-fledged NCB Zonal Office in Mizoram, which would serve as the operational command for all drug interdiction efforts in the northeastern region.
Garg emphasized the value of recruiting local officers who understand the social and linguistic landscape, echoing the rationale behind the MTA. Lalduhoma reiterated his commitment to curbing the rise in narcotics usage among Mizo youth, and said the MTA would play a vital role in this fight.
|Also Read :Mizoram Chief Minister Demands SpL force To Combat Drugs Menace |
Household Register Bill and Broader Autonomy Push
In the same meeting with Shah, Lalduhoma also raised the issue of the Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill, 2019, which remains pending presidential assent. The bill, passed by the state legislature under the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government, seeks to create a village- and town-level database of bona fide residents, aimed at regulating the influx of illegal immigrants and migrants from neighboring countries.
Shah reportedly responded positively and assured that the Centre would expedite deliberations on the matter.
A Broader Security Vision for Mizoram
The proposal for the Mizo Territorial Army reflects a broader strategic vision being advanced by the Lalduhoma-led government: a vision in which Mizoram takes a more proactive role in managing its borders, preserving internal peace, and contributing to India’s national security grid. With increasing drug trafficking and emerging transnational threats, state officials believe that the MTA can become a model force for other northeastern states facing similar challenges.
If approved, the MTA will mark a historic step—the first time a state in the Northeast would raise its own Territorial Army battalion with localized objectives and operational independence within the broader framework of national defense.
|Also Read : Mizoram CM proposes Mizo territorial army to combat cross-border drug trafficking in meeting with HM |
