India, March 17 -- Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday informed the state Assembly that the government has ended negotiations with the Indian Air Force (IAF) regarding the proposed transfer of Lengpui Airport to the defence agency.

Speaking during Question Hour on the final day of the Budget Session, Lalduhoma said the decision was taken after considering the views of civil society organisations and political parties, many of whom preferred that the airport be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The Chief Minister said that although the IAF had made a "favourable" proposal, the government chose to move forward with discussions with the AAI in response to local sentiments.

"Since NGOs and various political parti...