Aizawl, Mar 17: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, requesting a “peace bonus” for the state, which does not receive security-related expenditure (SRE) despite maintaining peace.

Lalduhoma highlighted Mizoram’s challenges, including the burden of hosting approximately 41,000 displaced people from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur. He emphasized the need for continued central support to provide food, shelter, and education for the affected population.

He also raised concerns over 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 said.

The Chief Minister further pointed out severe shortages in law enforcement resources, including vacancies in the police department, inadequate vehicles, and limited funding. He also stressed the need for additional immigration checkpoints along Mizoram’s international border.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lalduhoma said, “Other states receive security-related expenditure (SRE), but Mizoram is denied this because we are the most peaceful state in the country. So, being peaceful means you become a loser. Peace doesn’t pay. If the Centre cannot extend the SRE facility to us, then at least we should be given a peace bonus to set an example that peace is rewarded.”

He reiterated that recognizing Mizoram’s peaceful status through incentives would encourage other states to prioritize stability.