Man Dies After Alleged Torture by Village Defence Party in Mizoram
A shocking incident of alleged mob violence has rocked the northeastern state of Mizoram. A 49-year-old man from Farkawn village in Champhai district, bordering Myanmar, died in the early hours of Sunday after reportedly being tortured by members of the local Village Defence Party (VDP).
The victim, identified as C Lalramenga, was suspected of smuggling liquor from Myanmar. The tragic event has led to the arrest of seven VDP members and sent shockwaves across the state, with authorities treating it as a case of mob lynching.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
According to reports, the incident unfolded on Saturday night. C Lalramenga had crossed the international border into Myanmar and returned to Farkawn village on the same day. Members of the Farkawn Village Defence Party, suspecting him of bringing back liquor from across the border, were waiting for him upon his return.
The VDP members allegedly seized locally brewed liquor from him. This was followed by what has been described as an intense "interrogation" by the group. After the questioning, a severely injured Lalramenga was brought back to his home in a vehicle.
He succumbed to his injuries at 5 am on Sunday. Suspecting foul play and believing Lalramenga had been tortured, his grieving relatives filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the police later that day.
Police Action and Judicial Proceedings
Acting swiftly on the complaint, police officials from the Dungtlang Police Station and Champhai town rushed to Farkawn. They detained seven members of the Village Defence Party involved in the incident.
The arrested individuals were taken to the Dungtlang Police Station for further investigation. On Monday, they were produced before a district court in Champhai. The court, after hearing the case, remanded all seven accused to judicial custody. They have been sent to the Champhai district jail.
A post-mortem examination of the victim was conducted at the primary health centre in Farkawn village. Following the necessary procedures, his funeral was held at his home in Farkawn on Sunday itself.
Aftermath and State-Wide Shock
The victim, C Lalramenga, is survived by his wife, one son, and four daughters. The community is in mourning, and the incident has sparked outrage and disbelief.
This case, being regarded as a brutal mob lynching, has triggered widespread condemnation across Mizoram. It raises serious questions about vigilante justice and the conduct of local village defence groups. The prompt arrest of the accused by the police is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring accountability.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to pursue the case rigorously to deliver justice for the victim and his bereaved family.
