'Peace doesn’t pay': Mizoram CM demands 'peace bonus' from Centre

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to highlight the state's pressing challenges, including its exclusion from security-related expenditure (SRE) benefits despite maintaining peace. The CM called for a "peace bonus," arguing that Mizoram's stability should be rewarded rather than penalized.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lalduhoma emphasized the burden of hosting around 41,000 displaced individuals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur. "Providing them with food, shelter, and education is a major strain on our limited resources. We need continuous support from the Centre. Additionally, with our long international border, we require more immigration checkpoints," he stated.

Another key concern raised was the state's poor internet connectivity, which has hindered the implementation of new criminal laws. "The main challenge in implementing the new criminal laws in Mizoram is poor internet connectivity. The Ministry of Communication and IT must introduce a scheme to resolve this issue immediately," he urged.

The Chief Minister also highlighted severe shortages in Mizoram's law enforcement resources, citing police department vacancies, a lack of vehicles, and insufficient funding affecting overall performance.

Comparing Mizoram’s situation to other states receiving SRE funds, he remarked, "Other states receive security-related expenditure (SRE), but Mizoram is denied this because we are the most peaceful state in the country. So, being the most peaceful state means you become a loser. Peace doesn’t pay. Peace doesn’t have dividends."

Lalduhoma stressed that if SRE funds could not be extended to Mizoram, the Centre should at least grant a peace bonus. "I will request the Home Ministry; if they cannot extend the SRE facility to us, then at least we should be given a peace bonus so that it will be a good example for other states that peace pays," he asserted.

By recognizing Mizoram’s peaceful status, the CM argued, the Centre would set a precedent encouraging other states to maintain stability. The demand for a peace bonus highlights the complex challenges faced by states that uphold peace but struggle with funding shortages.