GUWAHATI: Assam Rifles posts across Mizoram faced power outage for six to over seven hours on October 17 after the troopers allegedly stopped the convoy of Mizoram power minister F Rodingliana.Mizoram’s Power and Electricity Minister, F Rodingliana, on Thursday alleged that his convoy was halted by Assam Rifles personnel on the outskirts of Aizawl. The incident occurred as he was returning from Champhai district. This led to a confrontation between the minister and the security forces.Assam Rifles denied any wrongdoing, saying that their actions were part of a routine security check. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Assam Rifles said videos circulating online clearly showed threats issued by the staff accompanying the minister to cut off power supply to the Assam Rifles.“The subsequent power outage affecting Assam Rifles posts across Mizoram appears to be a deliberate move aimed at obstructing operations,” the statement said, alleging the power outage jeopardised operational readiness and posed a security risk in the border areas.An Assam Rifles officer told this newspaper power services were snapped at around 2 pm and restored between 8 pm and 9:30 pm the same day following a request from the Commanders to Chief Minister Lalduhoma. Mizoram shares its border with Myanmar and Bangladesh.Meanwhile, the statement said reports suggesting that the Assam Rifles had stopped the minister’s vehicle was a misrepresentation of facts. “On 17th October, a Mobile Vehicle Check Post was established by Assam Rifles near Zokhawsang (near state capital Aizawl) based on credible intelligence regarding the possible movement of war-like stores. When the convoy of F Rodingliana, comprising four vehicles, approached the checkpoint, the minister’s vehicle was allowed to pass as per standard procedures. However, the convoy voluntarily stopped at the location where routine checks were being conducted on civilian vehicles. This contradicts the claim that Assam Rifles forcibly halted the convoy,” the statement said.
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