Eight Arrested in Lynching of Assam Regiment Soldier in Mizoram
Incident Overview
File image of slain soldier Zakaria Lalhriattluanga. (Photo: Zakaria)
Aizawl, Sept 21: Authorities have detained eight individuals, including a woman and two minors, in connection with the lynching of a soldier from the Assam Regiment in Kolasib district, Mizoram, on Monday.
Kolasib's Superintendent of Police, Lalrinpuia Vartes, confirmed that six of the adult suspects, all hailing from the Hmar Veng area of Kawnpui town, have been placed in judicial custody.
The police are still deliberating on the appropriate measures regarding the two minors involved.
“Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests may occur. The post-mortem of Zakaria Lalhriattluanga has been finalized,” stated the SP.
The 29-year-old soldier was laid to rest with full military honors on Monday.
Reports indicate that he was attacked and killed by a group of youths near Bualpui village while returning to his home in New Builum after a leave from his posting in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his journey from Lengpui airport to New Builum, the incident transpired near the Coffee Board's plantation area along National Highway 306.
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a dispute between two truck drivers regarding the poor road conditions, which had made it challenging for the vehicles to pass each other, escalating into a heated argument.
A group of intoxicated youths then approached Lalhriattluanga and his friend, the truck driver.
Witnesses claim there was no prior exchange between the soldier and the youths before the confrontation began.
Lalhriattluanga was allegedly attacked while attempting to defend his friend from the assault by the youths.
In response to the incident, the village council and the Young Mizo Association (YMA) unit of Kawnpui Hmar Veng issued a public apology to the residents of New Builum and the broader Mizoram community.
Both organizations condemned the violent actions of the local youths and called for the strictest legal repercussions for those involved.
The arrests of the eight suspects come as police continue to probe the details surrounding the soldier's tragic death, including the events leading up to the incident and the involvement of those detained.