Aizawl: In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Mizoram, an Indian Army jawan belonging to the Assam Regiment was allegedly lynched to death by a group of youths under the influence of alcohol in Kolasib district while he was returning home on leave.
The victim has been identified as Zakaria Lalhriattluanga, 29, son of New Builum village in Kolasib district. He was serving in Jammu and Kashmir and had come home on leave after months of duty at the border.
According to police, the tragic incident took place on Sunday evening near Bualpui village along the crucial NH-306 highway, which connects Mizoram with Assam. Lalhriattluanga was travelling towards his home in a truck driven by his friend shortly after reaching Mizoram.
Police sources said the trouble began near the Coffee Board’s coffee plantation area where the road condition is extremely poor. Two heavy trucks coming from opposite directions could not pass each other due to the narrow and damaged stretch, which led to a verbal spat between the two drivers over who should give way.
At that moment, a group of local youths who were reportedly drunk arrived at the spot and intervened in the argument. Instead of pacifying the matter, they allegedly started assaulting the driver of the truck in which the jawan was travelling.
Seeing his friend being beaten, Zakaria Lalhriattluanga stepped out and tried to rescue him and calm the situation. However, the mob turned on him and attacked him brutally with fists and sticks, leading to his death on the spot.
Kolasib Superintendent of Police, Lalrinpuia Varte, confirmed the incident and said a case of murder has been registered. So far, eight persons have been arrested in connection with the crime, including a woman and two minors. All the accused are said to be residents of Hmar Veng neighbourhood of Kawnpui town.
The SP said the six major accused have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. He added that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests cannot be ruled out as police are examining CCTV and questioning witnesses.
A post-mortem examination was conducted at Kolasib District Hospital on Monday morning. Later, the mortal remains of the jawan were taken to his native village New Builum where he was buried with full military honours in the presence of Army officials, police, village leaders and hundreds of mourners.
The brutal killing has triggered widespread condemnation across Mizoram. The Village Council and the Young Mizo Association (YMA) unit of Hmar Veng, Kawnpui, have publicly tendered an unconditional apology to the bereaved family, the people of New Builum and the entire state. In a joint statement, they strongly condemned the senseless violence and demanded that the law take its course and the harshest punishment be given to those responsible.
The incident has also raised serious questions about road safety, drunken hooliganism on highways, and the safety of security personnel even in their home state.
