Days after Bru agreement, furore over Mizo man’s death in Mizoram

Aizawl: Days after the quadripartite agreement ending an over two-decade-old Bru imbroglio received acclamations and strong applause from various groups and parties, the killing of a Mizo youth allegedly perpetrated by three Bru men have currently created furore among people in the Northeastern state of Mizoram.

Various organisations, including the state’s apex student organisation, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Students’ Union (MSU) and Lawngtlai-based Young Lai Association (YLA), have strongly 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 under mysterious circumstances in the forest near a Bru-dominated Nghalimlui village on January 11.

On suspicion of being a murder case, local leaders of Bungtlang South village lodged a complaint at Vasei police station on January 12.

A senior police officer said on Sunday that three people were arrested last week in connection with the incident.

The accused have been identified as Chondro Bahadur, a resident of Tuisentlang village, 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 for the murder of the youth allegedly committed by the Bru men. He alleged that many native Mizos have been either killed or suffered atrocities in the hands of non-indigenous people, especially the Brus.

He alleged that many native Mizos have been either killed or suffered atrocities in the hands of non-indigenous people, especially the Brus.

Pautu said that leaders of MZP on Saturday visited Bungtlang South village and offered condolence to the victim’s family.

Apart from demanding stringent punishment against the culprits, the MZP will also look into the initiative of the enforcement agency to ensure that justice is given to the victim, he said.

MZP leaders on Saturday also visited Nghalimlui village where they held public gathering and asked the villagers to maintain peaceful co-existence, according to Pautu.

Aizawl-based Bru Students’ Association in its statement vehemently condemned the incident and demanded stringent punishment against the people involved in the alleged murder.

The student body also expressed regret for vandalism at Nghalimlui during agitation last week 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 protest rally and vandalised more than 50 houses at Nghalimlui. No casualties were reported during the rally, the police said.

Meanwhile, the state police issued a statement on Saturday, cautioning people against use of inflammatory words and spreading rumour which could cause communal tension.

The situation at Nghalimlui is under control, the police said on Sunday.