AIZAWL: Mizoram’s main opposition, Mizo National Front (MNF), vowed to prevent Lengpui airport in state capital from going into the hands of Indian Air Force even as Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government has been making efforts to hand over the lone airport to IAF. A team of MNF legislators, led by opposition leader Lalchhandama Ralte, visited the airport on Saturday.
Ralte said both MNF and Congress governments had put lot of efforts in establishing the state’s first airport and successive governments ran the airport. “When ZPM assumed office in December 2023, one of the first things that CM Lalduhoma did was proposing the handing over of our airport to IAF, which is shameful,” he said.
“Previous CMs Lal Thanhawla (Congress) and Zoramthanga (MNF) were able to retain ownership of the airport despite financial difficulties. This shows ZPM government’s total financial failure,” he said while highlighting adverse consequences – like civilian-military conflict – if the airport is handed over to IAF.
“Across India, 27 IAF-controlled airports have civilian enclaves. These bases often prioritise military operations, including jet fighter and transport plane activities. Locations such as Pune, Tezpur, Bagdogra, and Srinagar serve as examples. With Mizoram’s strategic location near China, it is likely that Lengpui will be developed into a jet fighter base,” he said, adding, “Frequent fighter jet sorties and airspace restrictions could limit civilian flight operations, affecting flight frequency and impacting Mizoram’s economic progress. Noise pollution from fighter jets would also disrupt nearby areas, including Aizawl.”
“Lengpui and its surrounding areas, including Aizawl, could become high-priority targets during conflicts due to the airport’s strategic importance as a military installation. People of Mizoram will never allow their beloved airport to go into the hands of IAF,” he added.
Ralte said previous MNF government had already proposed construction of a second runway. The detailed project report of this had already been submitted to Centre.