Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi for approving the induction of 144 personnel from Mizoram into the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army. He highlighted this as a crucial step towards enhancing national security and providing opportunities for Mizoram’s youth. The first batch of 144 Mizo youths selected for the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home & Hearth), Assam was flagged off by the Chief Minister at the Assembly annexe Building Conference Hall.
The initial group, consisting of 135 men and 9 women, is set to depart for Shillong from Assam on May 15 for training in Meghalaya. Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer turned politician, shared that efforts are in progress to secure more recruitment quotas. He encouraged Mizo youths to join the Territorial Army, emphasizing its role in national security and as a path to disciplined living. The Chief Minister also addressed the newly recruited youths, urging them to represent Mizo youth with honor and values wherever they go.
Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Lt. Col. (Retd) Clement Lalhmingthanga, and other officials attended the event. Sapdanga praised the Territorial Army for combining civilian excellence with military discipline. He congratulated the recruits and advised them to persevere through challenges during training. Lt. Col. (Retd) Clement Lalhmingthanga commended the Chief Minister’s efforts in establishing the Mizo Territorial Army, calling it a historic achievement for Mizoram. Brig. Manoj Kumar Patel also acknowledged the Chief Minister’s dedication and expressed gratitude for the establishment of the Mizo Territorial Army.
The Territorial Army recruits are scheduled to commence training next month. The male recruits will train in Shillong, while the female recruits will head to Bengaluru for their training. Efforts for further recruitment are ongoing, with plans for a new advertisement release around September this year.
