CISF takes official charge of Mizoram’s Lengpui airport

Aizawl: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Thursday officially assumed full security responsibilities for Lengpui airport, near Aizawl, following directives from the ministry of home affairs.
A reception ceremony was held at the airport terminal building to mark the occasion, with state DGP Anil Shukla as the chief guest.
During the ceremony, DGP Shukla said the airport was a vital link, connecting Mizoram with the rest of India and the world. He emphasized that the CISF taking over the security of the airport was a significant milestone for Mizoram and that of the entire northeast. Shukla said deployment of the central force will assist the state police by relieving them of airport security duties. "Although Mizoram is a very peaceful state, the recent surge in drug trafficking is a matter of concern for which the efforts of the state police alone do not suffice to combat the menace," the DGP said. Lengpui airport has become the 69th airport in the country, where the CISF has taken its security responsibilities. Airport authorities said a total of 214 CISF personnel will be deployed at the airport, with an initial deployment of 121 personnel under a deputy commandant. DGP Shukla said all CRPF personnel, who were previously overseeing the airport security, had departed early on Thursday morning, while around 70 state police personnel were also relived of their airport security responsibilities. However, Shukla said around eight state police staff will remain on duty within the airport premises to handle the checking of Inner Line Permits (ILP).