Hyderabad: Alleging 'gross misconduct' by the personnel of Assam Rifles-46th Battalion, Mizoram's Under-Secretary (Home Department) Zahmingthanga shot off a letter to the former's Commanding Officer Brig. Vinod S, alongside the concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The letter put forth the government of Mizoram's displeasure over the alleged misconduct of the Assam Rifles personnel at Vairengte check gate on August 18.
Letter written by Mizoram's Under-Secretary Zahmingthanga to Brig. Vinod S It chose to highlight the 'rogue behaviour' and 'act of wilful disregard of protocol', as the personnel, reportedly, refused to comply with the entry and medical screening protocol at Vairengte, the border entry point into Mizoram.
According to the report, sent by Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib District - Mizoram Police HQ, about 25 armed personnel led by a Captain were deployed from Aizawl to Vairengte in three vehicles. Around 3.30 pm on the aforesaid date, they were subsequently involved in forced entry at the check gate alongside intimidation of the civil administration.
Letter written by Mizoram's Under-Secretary Zahmingthanga to Brig. Vinod S Also Read: Manipur: 3 Army personnel killed, 5 injured in terrorist attack
The letter also claimed that four-armed personnel of Assam Rifles surrounded the officer-in-charge (at the check gate), who was trying to explain the official protocol, with a show of strength and domination, all of which had been captured in the CCTV cameras.
Highlighting the need for containing the spread of COVID-19, the letter stated that the Assam Rifles were the second-highest contributor to the state's coronavirus tally among the military and paramilitary forces and called for concerted efforts to prevent its spread in the community.
It also stated that the repeated appeals/requests by the government, in the form of regulations, instructions, advisories, orders, guidelines etc., to avoid interstate movement, the Assam Rifles have been less than cooperative and nearly 10 per cent of the personnel have tested positive for COVID-19.
Criticizing the act of intimidating the public servants, the letter urged the Assam Rifles to observe restrain and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. It also called upon its cooperation in adhering with the protocol and efforts by the state government to contain COVID-19.
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