In Mizoram, 61 families of Chhingchhip village, about 50 km from Aizawl,
have donated land for setting up the state’s first Sainik School. While
the land donated by 44 families will be part of the campus, that
donated by the 17 others will be used for constructing an approach road
to link the Sainik School to the highway. Appreciating the contribution
of the villagers, who have declined to accept compensation for the land,
Chief Minister Lal Thanhalwa said though the Sainik Schoool won’t
directly benefit them, “this is more due to their dedication”. Two
decades ago, the state’s only airport at Lengpui was also constructed on
land donated by villagers. The Sainik School is coming up on a
100-hectare plot and its construction cost is estimated at Rs 100.33
crore.