Mizoram MP says not being allowed to raise alleged defence land scam in Rajya Sabha

A Mizo National Front (MNF) member in the Rajya Sabha said on Friday (February 6, 2026) that he had not been allowed for the past week to raise an alleged corruption worth ₹187.90 crore in the procurement of private land for defence purposes near Mizoram’s lone Lengpui airport.

K. Vanlalvena, Mizoram’s lone representative in the Upper House, told The Hindu that since the beginning of the Budget Session, he has been submitting Zero Hour notices to the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking to raise the issue but they have not been admitted.

He stated that he has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and that his party has also filed a criminal complaint with the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Government of Mizoram, demanding a probe by the Central investigating agencies. The MNF is currently in the Opposition.

Detailing the allegations, the MP said that private land near Lengpui Airport and Sihphir village near Aizawl was acquired by the State Government for installation of air defense systems by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at “exorbitant rates”, in violation of the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resentement Act, 2013.

In his letter to Mr. Shah, the MP alleged that key safeguards under the act—including publication of acquisition notifications in local newspapers, consultation with village councils, and conduct of social impact assessment studies—were bypassed. “As a result, public money amounting to over ₹2187.90 crore appears to have been laundered through questionable intermediaries, raising serious concerns of corruption and collusion,” the letter said.

Given the gravity of the matter and the alleged misuse of Central funds, Mr. Vanlalvena urged the Union Government to direct an appropriate Central investigating agency to conduct a thorough inquiry. “Accountability must be ensured, and those responsible for this gross violation of law and trust must be brought to justice,” he added.

The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), however, demanded an enquiry into the role of former MNF and Congress Ministers, stating that “a CBI probe will clearly reveal the real facts regarding the IAF land issue.

On January 31, the ZPM said in a press conference in Aizawl that the party had adopted a “careful and legally sound approach” to transferring land to the IAF, strictly in accordance with land acquisition laws.