Mizoram, Sept 23: A shocking incident has occurred in Mizoram’s Kolasib district where a soldier, who was returning to his hometown on leave to visit his family, was brutally beaten to death by a group of miscreants following a trivial road dispute. The deceased soldier has been identified as Zakaria Lalhriatluanga (29), who served in the Assam Regiment of the Indian Army.
How did the incident occur?
Zakaria, who was stationed in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, had arrived at Lengpui Airport on September 20 after taking leave. From there, he was traveling in a truck with his friend, John Laltanpuia, to their village in New Builum. While traveling on National Highway-306 between Bualpui and Thingdawl, John was engaged in a conversation with the driver of another truck coming from the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road—a maneuver necessitated by the poor condition of the highway. At that moment, a group of about 20 youths from a local hockey team in Kawnpui town, who were traveling in a pickup vehicle along the same route, picked a quarrel.
The group of youths, who were intoxicated after returning from a picnic, dragged John out of the vehicle and began beating him mercilessly. When soldier Zakaria intervened to save his friend, the gang of thugs launched a fatal attack on him as well. Zakaria sustained critical injuries and died on the spot, while his friends, John and Lalchawiliana, were injured.
Tragedy strikes moments after a call to his mother:
Just moments before the incident, Zakaria had called his mother to say he would reach home around 6:30 PM, as the road conditions were poor. “We never imagined that our son, who guarded the nation at a distant border, would lose his life at the hands of miscreants while returning to spend time with his family. The entire family relied on his earnings; he deserves justice, and the killers must face severe punishment,” his mother, Laltazovi, said tearfully. Zakaria, who supported his elderly parents (his father is 80), had also taken out a loan to build a house.
Police Action and Investigation:
Acting swiftly, the Mizoram Police arrested eight individuals, including two minors, in connection with the incident. The police are conducting an intensive search to locate other suspects who fled the scene. Deplorable State of National Highway 306: NH-306, a vital lifeline connecting Assam and Mizoram, has deteriorated severely; motorists frequently drive on the wrong side to avoid potholes, leading to constant reports of traffic disputes and accidents in the area.
Outrage Among Local Organizations: The Young Mizo Association (YMA) and local sports organizations have strongly condemned the brutal assault on the soldier, demanding strict punishment for the perpetrators and urging authorities to curb illegal activities along the highway.
Military Honors: The mortal remains of the soldier, who had been serving the nation in the Assam Regiment since 2017, were handed over to his family following a post-mortem examination, and arrangements have been made to conduct the final rites with full military honors.