As the Bru refugee issue is going to be settled forever following the signing of an agreement, murder of a Mizo youth, allegedly perpetrated by 3 Bru men, has created furore among the people in Mizoram.
Various organisations, including 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 went mission on January 4.
His body was found under mysterious conditions in the forest near Nghalimlui village, a Bru-dominated area, on January 11.
Suspecting it to be a murder case, local leaders of Bungtlang South village lodged a complaint with Vasei police station on January 12.
A senior police officer on Sunday said 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 “uncivilized,” MZP Lalnunmawia expressed regret for the murder of the youth allegedly committed by the Bru men.
He alleged that many native Mizos have either been killed or have suffered atrocities in the hands of non-indigenous people, especially the Brus.
Pautu said MZP leaders 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.
On Saturday, the MZP leaders also visited Nghalimlui village where they held public gathering where they asked the villagers to maintain peace and tranquility for peaceful co-existence, said Pautu.
An Aizawl-based Bru Students’ Association in its statement vehemently condemned the incident and demanded stringent punishment to the people involved in the alleged murder.
The students’ 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 vandalized more than 50 dwelling houses at Nghalimlui.
No casualties were reported during the rally, police said.
Meanwhile, state police issued a statement on Saturday, cautioning people against the use of inflammatory words and spreading rumours which could cause communal tension.
The situation at Nghalimlui is under control, police said on Sunday.