Mizoram MP urges Shah to order probe into Lengpui land acquisition

Aizawl: Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha member, K Vanlalvena, on Friday urged Union home minister Amit Shah to order an investigation by a central agency into the alleged misuse of funds meant for public welfare in a controversial land purchase in the Lengpui area near Aizawl.Vanlalvena, who leads the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), told TOI that he had attempted to raise the issue in Parliament during Zero Hour but was unable to do so. “This has forced me to write directly to the Union home minister,” he said.In his letter, Vanlalvena said, “It has come to light that lands near Mizoram’s lone Lengpui Airport and Sihphir village near Aizawl, acquired by the state govt purportedly for the establishment of air defence systems by the Indian Air Force, were purchased at exorbitant rates in violation of The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.”He alleged that public money amounting to over Rs 187.9 crore may have been laundered through intermediaries, raising serious concerns of corruption and collusion. “Given the gravity of the matter, accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice,” he said in the letter.Meanwhile, the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) on Friday withdrew its earlier plan to lodge a complaint with the CBI after the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) filed an FIR with the agency’s Aizawl office.

State information & public relations minister B Lalchhanzova said the ZPM hopes the state govt will consent to a CBI probe if the agency agrees to investigate. He added that CM Lalduhoma has denied any involvement in the alleged scam.The MNF also submitted a representation to chief secretary Khilli Ran Meena, who serves as the chief vigilance officer, urging him to grant consent for a CBI inquiry into the alleged land scam involving “political executives and powerful bureaucrats”.Earlier this week, the state Lokayukta registered a case after taking cognizance of the corruption allegations related to the IAF land deal.