An initial contingent of 121 CISF personnel, led by a Deputy Commandant, commenced duty immediately, with plans to expand the force to 214 members in the weeks ahead
In a landmark development for aviation security in India’s North-East, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officially took over all security duties at Lengpui Airport on Thursday, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs . The handover marks the airport’s entry as the 69th civil aviation facility in the country to come under CISF protection.
A formal induction ceremony was held at the airport terminal, where Mizoram’s Director General of Police, Anil Shukla, acted as chief guest and handed over the CISF flag to the Chief Airport Security Officer . Also present were senior officers from the CISF’s aviation wing, representatives of the Airport Authority of India, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), local police and various airline stakeholders.
An initial contingent of 121 CISF personnel, led by a Deputy Commandant, commenced duty immediately, with plans to expand the force to 214 members in the weeks ahead . They have replaced the joint security arrangement previously maintained by the Mizoram Police and the CRPF since the airport’s opening in 1999.
Situated some 35 km north of Aizawl, Lengpui Airport is Mizoram’s lone domestic airport and a vital link in India’s Act East policy, enhancing connectivity with neighbouring South-East Asian nations . Given Mizoram’s border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, the deployment of a specialised central force is expected to bolster defences against smuggling and other cross-border threats.
Speaking at the ceremony, DGP Shukla noted that, while Mizoram remains one of India’s most peaceful states, a recent rise in contraband trafficking has stretched the capacity of state police resources. “The CISF’s expertise will strengthen our efforts to safeguard both passengers and the region,” he said.
The CISF’s arrival in Mizoram also represents its first permanent deployment in the state, underscoring the Union government’s ongoing strategy to enhance security across all Indian civil aviation hubs . As the force establishes its presence, authorities anticipate more advanced and people-friendly security protocols to ensure a safe and seamless experience for all travellers.
