Songpi/Aizawl: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Mizoram on October 5 for an official engagement in Aizawl, according to a government statement issued by the Mizoram government. The Home Minister is scheduled to arrive at Lengpui Airport on Sunday morning and will thereafter travel by helicopter to Thuampui helipad near Aizawl. From Thuampui, he will proceed to the Youth Recreation Centre at Falkland Veng where he is scheduled to attend a public programme. Officials said final minute-to-minute programme is being prepared by the state protocol department in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The visit is being seen as significant in view of the prevailing security and political situation in the Northeast, particularly the ongoing ethnic situation in neighbouring Manipur and the refugee and security management issues along the Mizoram-Myanmar border. Sources in the Mizoram government said the Home Minister is likely to hold closed-door meetings with Chief Minister Lalduhoma, senior officials of the state government, and leaders of central security agencies deployed in the state. Though the official agenda has not been made public, issues related to border fencing, assistance for displaced persons from Myanmar, law and order coordination, and development projects under the Ministry of DoNER are expected to feature in the discussions.
In preparation for the high-security visit, Aizawl Deputy Commissioner Lalhriatpuia has issued a detailed order imposing traffic restrictions along the route from Lengpui Airport to the Youth Recreation Centre at Falkland. As per the order, parking of all vehicles on both sides of the road between Lengpui and Falkland will be strictly prohibited on October 5 from early morning till the conclusion of the Home Minister’s programme. The order also prohibits any activity that could disrupt vehicular movement along the route, including roadside vending, construction work and assembly of people. The Deputy Commissioner said the restrictions are necessary to ensure smooth movement of the VVIP convoy and to maintain public safety.
The order further directs that all petrol pumps located along the Lengpui-Falkland route shall remain closed during the period of the visit. This is a standard security protocol adopted during VVIP movements to prevent any untoward incident. The Deputy Commissioner has warned that any person violating the order will face action under relevant provisions of law, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act. Aizawl Traffic Police have been instructed to deploy additional personnel and install barricades at key junctions to enforce the order. Alternate parking spaces have been identified at Lengpui and Falkland for public convenience.
According to officials at Lengpui Airport, helicopter sorties have been planned to ferry the Home Minister and his security entourage from Lengpui to Thuampui helipad. The Indian Air Force and Mizoram Police will jointly secure the helipads and the entire stretch. The Youth Recreation Centre at Falkland Veng, one of the largest indoor venues in Aizawl, is being sanitised and prepared for the programme. Seating arrangements, security barricades and a public address system are being installed. Sources said the Home Minister is expected to address the gathering and may make announcements related to development projects and central assistance for Mizoram.
This will be Amit Shah’s first visit to Mizoram this year after a gap of several months. His last visit to the state was in 2023 when he inaugurated several infrastructure projects and held meetings with civil society organisations on the Myanmar refugee issue. Mizoram has been hosting more than 30,000 displaced persons from Myanmar’s Chin State since the military coup in 2021, and the state government has repeatedly sought central assistance for their humanitarian management. The visit also comes at a time when the Centre is pushing for early resolution of border disputes and strengthening of security along the India-Myanmar border through fencing and enhanced surveillance.
The government notice also stated that Shah’s visit may be postponed if any unforeseen circumstances arise due to weather conditions or security reasons. October is generally a period of unpredictable weather in Mizoram with intermittent rainfall affecting helicopter operations between Lengpui and Aizawl. The state government said a contingency plan has been kept in place and the public will be informed in advance if there is any change in schedule. Officials have appealed to the people of Aizawl to cooperate with the administration and security agencies to ensure that the programme is conducted peacefully and without inconvenience to the public.
Meanwhile, political parties and civil society organisations in Mizoram have welcomed the Home Minister’s visit and expressed hope that long-pending issues concerning the state will be taken up. The Mizo Zirlai Pawl and other student bodies have submitted representations seeking relaxation of Inner Line Permit enforcement for Mizo students and enhanced central funding for youth activities. The Mizoram government is also expected to raise the issue of financial assistance under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment and early release of funds for disaster management in view of recent landslides. Security has been tightened across Aizawl with additional deployment of CRPF and Mizoram Armed Police ahead of the visit.
