Days after the agreement ending a two-decade Bru imbroglio received applause from various groups, the murder of a Mizo youth allegedly by three Bru men, currently created furore in Mizoram.
Various organisations, including the state’s apex student organisation, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Students’ Union and Lawngtlai based Young Lai Association have condemned the incident.
A. Lalrawnliana, 32, a resident of Bungtlang South village in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, who went missing on January 4, was found dead in the forest near a Bru-dominated Nghalimlui village on January 11.
Local leaders of Bungtlang South village lodged a complaint at Vasei police station on January 12.
A senior police officer told The Telegraph on Sunday that three persons were arrested last week. The accused are Chondro Bahadur, a resident of Tuisentlang village and Vanlalnghaka and Donha both from Tuichawngtlang village in Lawngtlai district.
They were produced before the magistrate on Saturday and sent to Lunglei district jail, he said.
Terming the incident “ barbaric” and “uncivilised,” MZP Lalnunmawia expressed regret over the murder.
Pautu said MZP leaders Saturday visited the village and offered condolence to the victim’s family. MZP leaders also visited Nghalimlui village where they asked the villagers to maintain peaceful co-existence, according to Pautu. Aizawl-based Bru Students Association condemned the incident and demanded stringent punishment against the people involved.
The students’ union expressed regret for vandalism at Nghalimlui during an agitation and asked the state government to look into the case of villagers, who fled their village fearing communal tension. On January 14, an irate mob, numbering about 800, staged a demonstration and vandalised more than 50 houses at Nghalimlui.
The police issued a statement on Saturday, cautioning people against use of inflammatory words and spreading rumours which could cause communal tension.
The situation at Nghalimlui is under control, the police said on Sunday.
