Kolasib: Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga on Saturday visited the parents of Zakaria Lalhriattluanga, a soldier of the Assam Regiment who was allegedly killed in a road-rage incident while returning home on leave on September 20, official sources said.
The Minister offered condolences to the bereaved family at the victim’s house in New Builum village near Kolasib.
Sapdanga said the killing had deeply saddened the people as well as the state government.
Describing the killing as a tragic and horrifying incident, he said the government shared the grief of Zakaria’s parents and family.
The home minister was accompanied by ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) legislators Lt Col Clement Lalhmingthanga and TBC Lalvenchhunga, who is also the Chief Minister’s finance and planning adviser, and other officials.
“We have come not as representatives of the state government to mourn, but to express our sympathy as Mizos,” Sapdanga said while addressing a brief programme at Zakaria’s home.
He thanked the police for arresting the accused within about three hours of the incident.
Though the law provides 90 days for filing a charge sheet, the police had already made considerable progress, Sapdanga said, adding that those responsible deserved punishment.
Lalhmingthanga, who is also president of the All Mizo Ex-Service League, said that Zakaria, who was serving with the 9 Assam Regiment, had dedicated himself to the nation and the Mizo community.
He said that the soldier had sacrificed his life while trying to save his friend and deserved to be honoured for his sacrifice.
Zakaria’s father, VL Duailova, thanked the Home Minister and others for visiting the family and said his son had been the family’s main breadwinner.
Police have so far arrested nine persons, including a woman and two teenagers, in connection with the alleged killing.
A case has been registered under Sections 103(1), 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is still underway, according to Kolasib SP Lalrinpuia Varte.