Mizoram Sends First Batch of 144 Youths to Territorial Army, CM Thanks Centre for Historic Recruitment

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has thanked 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. Calling it a major step for both national security and youth opportunity, the Chief Minister flagged off the first batch of selected Mizo recruits at the Assembly Annexe Building Conference Hall on Monday.

The first batch consists of 135 men and 9 women, selected for the 166 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home & Hearth), Assam. The recruits are scheduled to leave for Shillong on May 15 to complete formalities before training. The male recruits will undergo training in Shillong, while the nine women recruits will proceed to Bengaluru for their training.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Lalduhoma described the occasion as a proud and historic day for Mizoram. He said the initiative began after he learned about the Territorial Army and appealed to the Central government to sanction a Mizo component in the force. Initially, approval was granted for 70 personnel, but further negotiations raised the number to 144 before recruitment began.

The recruitment carries importance beyond employment. For Mizoram’s youth, it opens a pathway into disciplined national service while also giving the state a stronger representation in India’s security framework. The Chief Minister urged the new recruits to act as pioneers and representatives of Mizo youth, asking them to uphold the values, discipline and character of the Mizo people during training and service.

The event was attended by Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Clement Lalhmingthanga, Home Secretary Vanlalmawia, Brig. Manoj Kumar Patel, Commander of TA Group Eastern Command, and officials from the Armed Forces, Assam Rifles and the state government. Sapdanga said the Territorial Army combines civilian excellence with military discipline and offers young people dignity, character-building and responsibility.

The Territorial Army has historically acted as a bridge between civilian society and the military, allowing citizens to contribute to national defence while also strengthening local participation in security duties. In Mizoram’s case, the move is especially significant because it gives young people from the state a structured role in national service, while reinforcing the Northeast’s contribution to India’s defence ecosystem. Further recruitment efforts are already underway, and officials expressed hope that another advertisement may be issued around September this year.