Tussle for IR hqrs in Mizoram assembly

Aizawl Mar 14 (UNI) The day's Assembly session saw legislators vying for the headquarters of the soon-to-be established 3rd Indian Reserve Police battalion within their respective constituency.

Answering a starred question Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Lalthlengliana, Home minister Tawnluia said with the Centre having increased the funds for raising costs of the 3rd IR battalion from Rs 13 crore to Rs 25 crore, the state government will soon start recruitments for the battalion which will have a strength of about 1000.

When he said the government is yet to decide where to locate the battalion headquarters, at least four legislators wanted the headquarters to be located in their constituencies.

The request from Lalthlengliana seemed most appropriate as the rebel dominated western belt of the state needed more seecurity forces, he said.

MPC legislator Lalhmingthanga and MDF legislator P.P. Thawlla were of the opinion that the headquarters of the new IR battalion should be located in Saiha district in southern Mizoram on grounds of equitable distribution of forces within the state.

Opposition leader and the Congress president Lalthanhawla was of the opinion that the new IR battalion should be headquartered in Vairengte taking into consideration the boundary dispute that the state has with Assam in the north.

Tawnluia, however, said the decision of the headquarters for the new IR battalion rests with the Cabinet and that all options would come into consideration.

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