Bullet-proof car & arms for Mizoram

Silchar, March 10: The Congress government in Mizoram will import modern arms and a bullet-proof car to step up security in the state, plagued by short bursts of militant violence.

While the bullet-proof car is on its way to Aizawl, the Mizoram government, to buttress the strength of police, will import some regulation arms from the US and Italy.

Disclosing this yesterday, a senior official of the Mizoram government’s home department said two companies of policemen comprising sharpshooters and skilled technical personnel would be raised for effectively using the bullet-proof car and arms. They will be inducted shortly in Mizoram police for the first time in its history.

Sources said the Mizoram government was apprehensive of threats from militant organisations such as the Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic) as well as outfits floated by Brus and Myanmarese gangs.

Though the HPC (D) had recently signed a truce pact with the Mizoram government, formal talks have not begun.

The home department senior official said a bullet-proof car — a Pajero SUV manufactured by the Japan’s auto major Mitsubishi Motors — was bought recently by the Mizoram government at the cost of Rs 20 lakh.

At the recommendations of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the car was fitted with some accessories which pushed up its cost to Rs 46 lakh. This bullet-proof car will be used by the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister when they visit the state.

The arms include 90 pieces of Colt M4 carbine, and 116 pieces of pistols from the Berreta company of Italy.

The Telegraph