Guwahati: Governor Vijay Kumar Singh on Wednesday administered the oath of office to the chairperson and two members of Mizoram’s first State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan, formally bringing the statutory body into existence.
Justice (Retd.) Marli Vankung, a former judge of the Gauhati High Court, assumed charge as the commission’s first chairperson. Vanlalenmawia, a retired officer of the Mizoram Judicial Service, and retired IAS officer K. Lal Nghinglova also took oath as members.
Among those present at the ceremony were Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama, Leader of the Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte, cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
Justice Vankung was born in 1964 and holds academic qualifications in English, Law and International Legal Studies. She entered the Mizoram Judicial Service in 1989 before serving in different judicial assignments. In October 2021, she was appointed an additional judge of the Gauhati High Court, became a permanent judge in August 2023 and retired in March 2026.
Before joining the commission, Vanlalenmawia served in the Mizoram Judicial Service from 2011. He retired in March 2026 after serving as the Presiding Officer of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Aizawl.
K. Lal Nghinglova began his professional career in 1983 as a district information and public relations officer. After joining the Indian Administrative Service (AGMUT cadre) in 1996, he served in several important administrative roles in Mizoram and Delhi, including Principal Secretary to the Mizoram government, before retiring in November 2016.
The state established the commission after the Gauhati High Court directed it to do so while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Zofa Welfare Organisation (ZWO), which had sought the creation of the statutory body.
The newly constituted body will independently examine complaints of human rights violations and recommend appropriate action as part of its mandate.