Aizawl: A 20-year-old man accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Mizoram’s Lunglei district escaped from police custody in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting a massive search operation, police said.
The accused, Denghmingthanga, a resident of Mualthuam North village, escaped from Lunglei police custody around 1 a.m. while being questioned in connection with the murder case.
Police said he had been brought to Lunglei police station from Lunglei district jail on Monday for further interrogation.
He was last seen heading towards Rahsi Veng in Lunglei after his escape. Police have appealed to the public to immediately report any information about his whereabouts.
Denghmingthanga was arrested on August 20 along with Lalneihkima, 34, also a resident of Mualthuam North, in connection with the girl’s death.
The girl’s body was found on August 5 near a State-run school in Mualthuam North, two days after she went missing.
Police said the two men were arrested after confessing to the crime during extensive questioning and examination of evidence.
A case was registered under Sections 103(1) and 140(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the murder.
The Lunglei Sub-Headquarters of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) has also joined the search for the escapee and directed its branches to remain vigilant in their respective localities and assist police in tracing him.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the YMA said its branches had been asked to immediately alert police if Denghmingthanga was spotted.
The organisation also appealed to the public not to take the law into their own hands or attempt to attack him.
According to the YMA, Denghmingthanga escaped while wearing handcuffs and without shoes. It urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Lunglei police station or YMA leaders.
Police said the search for the accused is underway.