Mizoram University Tie With Security Firm Under Fire

Aizawl, Jun 10 : The Mizoram University (MZU) has come under fire for appointing an 'unlicensed' Guwahati-based security agency for providing security service within the university campus.

Sources said, following a complaint submitted by three Aizawl-based security firms, the Mizoram government has served a show-cause notice to the university and the appointed security firm, North Eastern Security Service (NESS).

According to the complaint lodged with the joint secretary to the government of Mizoram’s home department in April, the NESS did not produce any of the required certificate and licence at the time of submitting quotation.

On the contrary, the local competitors submitted certificate of registration issued by labour and employment department, government of Mizoram, and licence for running the business of private security agency in Mizoram issued by the state home department.

It was stated in the complaint that the NESS later on February 2, 2010 (which was four days after the appointment was made on January 28) obtained a licence from the Assistant Labour Commissioner, government of India, Silchar (Assam).

The three security firms then sought a clarification from the Mizoram’s labour and employment department which state that the licence issued by the assistant labour commissioner in Silchar was however meant for employing labourers, and not security guards.

Moreover, the state’s home department is the sole authority to issue a licence to run a security service business in Mizoram, the complaint stated.

Therefore, the appointment of NESS, which did not have a licence from the state’s home department, is a clear violation of the existing rules under the Private Security Agency Regulation Act, 2005 of the government of India and a notification issued by the government of Mizoram.