Aizawl: The Assam Rifles has rejected claims that it stopped Mizoram Power and Electricity minister F Rodingliana’s convoy on the outskirts of Aizawl. Issuing a statement, Assam Rifles said that the convoy was not intercepted during a search near the state capital as suggested.
Earlier on Thursday, the minister had claimed that his convoy was stopped when he was returning from east Mizoram’s Champhai district. The incident resulted in a heated argument, news agency PTI reported on Saturday.
The convoy stopped despite providing explanations, claims Mizoram Minister
According to the minister, The Assam Rifle had set up a barricade on the NH-54 between Aizawl and Tuirial on Thursday. The convoy was stopped despite explaining to them that he was a minister. Rodingliana said that three personnel stopped had stopped the convoy after being asked to do so by their seniors, and were not allowed to let go for some time.
Rejecting his claim, Assam Rifles said that a mobile post was set up around 4 km from its Zokhawsang base on the Aizawl-Seiling road. The convoy was given clear passage during checking. It added that the convoy stopped on its own while civilian vehicles were being checked. The minister had also got down from his vehicle and reportedly abused the army personnel, an Assam Rifles personnel added.
Notable, soon after the confrontation, several posts of Assam Rifles across Mizoram experienced a power outage. Urging for the restoration of the power supply, the paramilitary force said that it was crucial that normalcy be ensured for troops, whose operations are crucial for the safety of the state and the rest of the country.
Premeditated effort to escalate situation: Assam Rifles
Condemning the convoy’s action, Assam Rifles released a statement saying the action was a deliberate attempt to show the paramilitary forces in a bad light. “The convoy’s actions, including blocking the road with one of its vehicles, suggest a premeditated effort to escalate the situation,” the statement added. The personnel exercised restraint and made sure that the situation did not get out of hand, even after provocations from the minister’s staff, it added further.
