However, the question remains whether the authorities concerned will be able to materialise chopper services in three months time or not.

The last meeting between Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, accompanied by officials from Aviation Wing with Pawan Hans, held on Thursday decided on starting the service within three months. Lal Thanhawla said, “Our future is bright but there are many things to be done before the maiden helicopter services start in this hilly State”.

A ten-seater ‘Dauphin’ from Pawan Hans will operate in Mizoram as per the negotiations between the two parties. But in a hilly State like Mizoram only 7-9 persons can be accomodated on a Dauphin, officials from Pawan Hans said.

One arrested

Shillong, Feb 14 – Troops of BSF BOP Ryngkua Ex-56 Bn apprehended one Indian anti-national element on the international border along with 22 bundles bidis worth Rs 3080 on Friday, while he was trying to exfiltrate to Bangladesh from India. He has been identified as Phura Hajong (27) of village Ryngkua, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, informed a BSF press release.

Meanwhile, BSF troops also seized of 128 cattles, and other contraband items in Dhubri district of Assam and hilly area of Meghalaya, while these items were being smuggled out to Bangladesh. The estimated cost of the seized items is Rs 32 lakh.