Mizoram Government Exempted from Paying Rs 5.23 Crore for Assam Rifles Relocation

Government Waives Depreciated Costs

Aizawl, Jan 13: The central government has decided to waive the Rs 5.23 crore that the Mizoram administration was obligated to pay for the depreciated value of buildings and infrastructure previously occupied by the Assam Rifles in Aizawl.

On Monday, Chief Minister Lalduhoma revealed that he had reached out to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in May of the previous year, seeking a waiver for this amount. The depreciated cost represents the diminished value of assets due to wear and tear over time.

Lalduhoma expressed his satisfaction in a Facebook update, stating, “The Union Minister has confirmed that the Mizoram government will not be required to pay the depreciated cost. It is gratifying that our request has been granted.”

According to a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) established between the Mizoram government and the Assam Rifles regarding the relocation of its bases from Aizawl, the state was initially responsible for the Rs 5.23 crore payment for the depreciated value of the vacated properties.

The formal relocation of Assam Rifles facilities from the state capital was commemorated in March of last year, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah attending a ceremony in Aizawl. The phased relocation process commenced in April 2025, as reported by officials.

The necessity for relocating the bases stemmed from Aizawl's challenging terrain and growing congestion. The Assam Rifles had facilities at Zodin Square (Lammual) and Khatla in Aizawl, in addition to a DIG residence at Tuikhuahtlang, a commandant’s bungalow, a church at Tuikual near Zodin, various plots of land, and a war memorial.

Officials noted that the Assam Rifles has maintained its 23 Sector Headquarters and Mizoram Range at Khatla, along with the DIG residence, while other units have been moved to a designated camp at Zokhawsang, located approximately 15 km east of Aizawl.