Mizoram gets its first State Human Rights Commission, Justice Marli Vankung sworn in
Synopsis
Mizoram has finally joined the ranks of states with a dedicated human rights watchdog. The swearing-in of Justice Marli Vankung as Chairperson of the state's first-ever SHRC on 29 July closes a long institutional gap — giving citizens a statutory body to report violations and seek redress for the first time in the state's history.
Key Takeaways
Mizoram constituted its first State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on 29 July in Aizawl .
Governor Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) administered the oath to Chairperson and two Members.
Former Gauhati High Court Judge Justice Marli Vankung was sworn in as Chairperson; she retired from the High Court on 3 March 2026 .
Retired judicial officer Vanlalenmawia and retired IAS officer K.
Lal Nghinglova were sworn in as Members.
The SHRC will inquire into human rights violation complaints and promote awareness across the state.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma and senior constitutional authorities attended the ceremony.
Mizoram on Wednesday, 29 July constituted its first State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), marking a landmark step in the state's institutional framework for protecting civil liberties. Governor Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) administered the oath of office to the Commission's Chairperson and two Members at a formal swearing-in ceremony in Aizawl.
Who Was Sworn In
Former Gauhati High Court Judge Justice Marli Vankung was sworn in as Chairperson of the newly constituted body. Retired Mizoram Judicial Service officer Vanlalenmawia and retired IAS officer K. Lal Nghinglova took oath as Members. Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena read out the Governor's notification formally appointing the Chairperson and Members before the oaths were administered.
Profile of the Chairperson
Justice Marli Vankung, born on 4 March 1964, holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English, an LL.B. degree, and an M.Phil. in International Legal Studies. She joined the Mizoram Judicial Service in 1989 and served across several judicial and administrative roles under the state government before being elevated as an Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court on 13 October 2021. She was confirmed as a permanent Judge on 1 August 2023 and retired on 3 March 2026 upon reaching the age of superannuation. She currently resides at Republic Veng in Aizawl.
What the Commission Is Expected to Do
According to an official statement, the SHRC will function as an independent statutory body empowered to inquire into complaints of human rights violations, review existing safeguards, and promote awareness of human rights across Mizoram. The commission's constitution is seen as a significant strengthening of the state's institutional architecture for civil liberties — notably, Mizoram had operated without such a body since statehood.
Who Attended the Ceremony
The swearing-in was attended by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama, Public Works Department Minister Vanlalhlana, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Lalthansanga, Leader of the Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte, Power and Electricity Minister F. Rodingliana, Information, Public Relations, Printing and Stationery Minister B. Lalchhanzova, along with senior government officials and other dignitaries.
With the SHRC now formally constituted, citizens of Mizoram will for the first time have a dedicated statutory avenue to seek redress for alleged human rights violations at the state level.
Point of View
1993 has long provided for state-level commissions, yet many smaller states have been slow to act. The real measure of this body's worth will not be its inauguration but its caseload, independence, and speed of adjudication. A commission headed by a retired High Court judge with over three decades of judicial experience is a credible start, but institutional credibility is built case by case, not by ceremony. Whether the SHRC receives adequate staffing, budget, and political insulation from the state government will determine if it becomes a genuine redress mechanism or a statutory formality.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mizoram State Human Rights Commission?
The Mizoram State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is an independent statutory body constituted on 29 July to inquire into complaints of human rights violations in the state, review existing safeguards, and promote human rights awareness. It is the first such commission in Mizoram's history.
Who is the Chairperson of the Mizoram SHRC?
Justice Marli Vankung, a former Judge of the Gauhati High Court, has been appointed as Chairperson. She joined the Mizoram Judicial Service in 1989 and retired from the High Court on 3 March 2026.
Who are the Members of the Mizoram SHRC?
The two Members are retired Mizoram Judicial Service officer Vanlalenmawia and retired IAS officer K. Lal Nghinglova, both sworn in by Governor Vijay Kumar Singh on 29 July.
Why does the Mizoram SHRC matter?
Before this commission was constituted, Mizoram lacked a dedicated state-level statutory body for human rights redress. The SHRC gives citizens a formal, independent avenue to file complaints about violations — a significant institutional gap now closed.
Who administered the oath at the SHRC swearing-in ceremony?
Governor Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) administered the oath of office to Justice Marli Vankung as Chairperson and to Vanlalenmawia and K. Lal Nghinglova as Members at the ceremony held in Aizawl on 29 July.
