Newmai News Network
Aizawl |February 27
Mizoram Home minister Lalchamliana on Thursday strongly condemned and expressed regret for the mob attack at West Lungdar village in west Mizoram’s Mamit district in which three people were allegedly assaulted as they were accused of child abductors.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when the three persons were selling televisions by visiting door to door, he said.
Giving a statement on the incident during the ongoing budget session in the state assembly, Lalchamliana said that the three people were assaulted by villagers following a rumour about an attempt to kidnap a 13-year-old boy belonging to West Lungdar village was widely circulated on social media on Monday night.
He also said that residents of West Lungdar village and other neighbouring villages within the jurisdiction of West Phaileng police station launched search operation for the three persons, who travelled in a vehicle, soon after the rumour.
On learning the rumor, three policemen from Kulikawn police station in Aizawl led by officer-in charge rushed to West Lungdar on Tuesday. They were joined by a police team from West Phaileng, he further said.
On Tuesday night, the police team rushed to South Sabual village near West Lungdar after they were informed that three people have been caught by the villagers.
When the policemen tried to take the three persons to Aizawl for interrogation, the villagers insisted that they should be brought to West Lungdar for identification by a boy identified as Lalremruatpuia, the Home minister said.
He also said that the three persons were taken to South Sabual village by force as the mob outnumbered the policemen before the re-enforcement could reach the village.
According to the Home minister, the irate mob assaulted the three persons and torched their vehicles and properties after the boy said the three had attempted to abduct him on the previous night.
“The policemen tried their best to protect the three persons but they were over powered by the irate mob,” he further said.
The police somehow managed to escape from the scene and took the three persons to Aizawl.
They were sent to a custody after being administered medical aids at Aizawl Civil Hospital, Lalchamliana said.
He also said that two cases have been registered in connection with the alleged attempt to kidnap and mob assault.
