India Defence News : The Assam Rifles has undergone recent relocation efforts, particularly in Mizoram, as part of a significant and ongoing process. The most notable development is the relocation of its operational bases from the heart of Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, to Zokhawsang, approximately 15 kilometers away. This move has been in discussion for decades but has seen concrete progress in the last year.
Key Developments in the Assam Rifles Relocation
Agreement Signed:
On October 23, 2024, the Mizoram government and Assam Rifles signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in New Delhi to formalize the relocation. This was done with the knowledge of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and in the presence of Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, along with other officials.
Ceremonial Land Transfer:
On March 16, 2025, a ceremonial exchange of land maps took place in Aizawl, attended by Amit Shah, Assam Rifles Director General Lt. General Vikas Lakhera, and Mizoram CM Lalduhoma. This marked the official handover of 106.853 acres of land in Aizawl to the state government, while the Mizoram government leased 1,305.15 acres in Zokhawsang to the Assam Rifles.
Timeline:
While the agreement was signed in October 2024, the physical relocation is scheduled to be completed by April 2025, after the current academic session ends. The Assam Rifles has already committed to handing over certain properties (e.g., Chitte River, Tuikual church area, and Babutlang, totaling about 63.9 acres) within three months from the signing, meaning by January 2025. The full shift, including the main barracks and other facilities in Zodin Square, will occur by April 2025.
Context and Purpose
The relocation addresses a long-standing demand, first raised in 1988 by the Mizo National Front (MNF) government after a violent clash with Assam Rifles personnel resulted in civilian deaths.
The presence of Assam Rifles bases in central Aizawl had hindered urban expansion due to the city’s mountainous terrain and limited land availability.
The move to Zokhawsang aims to decongest Aizawl, facilitate urban development, and improve infrastructure while allowing the Assam Rifles to maintain its operational effectiveness from a new, purpose-built complex.
Other Relocation Instances
Beyond Mizoram, there have been reports of Assam Rifles battalions being redeployed elsewhere:
Manipur to Jammu & Kashmir:
In September 2024, two battalions (the 9th and 22nd) were relocated from Manipur’s Imphal Valley to Jammu & Kashmir to support counter-terrorism efforts alongside the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This was part of a strategic redeployment amid ethnic tensions in Manipur, though it’s not a permanent relocation of headquarters like in Mizoram.
Nagaland:
In December 2024, the Global Naga Forum urged the relocation of Assam Rifles camps from urban areas like Kohima and Dimapur to reduce civil-military tensions and aid urban development, but no official action has been confirmed as of April 2, 2025.
Current Status as of April 2, 2025
As of today, the relocation in Mizoram is in progress but not fully complete. The process is recent and ongoing, with significant milestones achieved in the past year. Meanwhile, the redeployment of battalions from Manipur to Jammu & Kashmir has already occurred, reflecting a broader strategic adjustment rather than a full relocation of the force’s base.