Three HPC(D) militant arrested in Mizoram

way2barak, Apr 15: A special operation team under the Criminal Investigation De- partment (CID)’s Special Branch of Mizoram Police arrested three militants belonging to Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction of the Hmar People’s Convention (Democrats), an official press release issued by the state police said on Friday.

The three persons arrested were  Lalzarzova (47) of Mizoram-Assam border Mauchar Lalropianga village, (38) Thingtuikual village in Manipur and Lalmuankima (47) of Mauchar village, the press release said.

They were nabbed following registration of criminal cases against the trio at Sakawrdai Police Station under sections 397, 395, 341 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. They were accused of indulging in extortion from officials of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) which are manning the 60 megawatt Tuirial Hydro Electric Project and from non-tribal businessmen in the vicinity.

One of the arrested persons Lalzarzova was convicted by a Fast Track Court in Assam border Kolasib district under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 on Monday last. Lalzarzova was sen- tenced to undergo a prison term of 10 years and fined Rs 1 lakh by the court on Tuesday.

He was arrested on March 20, 2021 by the state excise and narcotics depart- ment officials in Kolasib district for possession of 324 grams of heroin. He was released on bail on August 15, 2021 due to ill-health during which he and his cronies were reportedly involved in extortion.

Sanate’s faction of the HPC (D) had been operating in Mizoram-Assam border areas by using Hmarkhawlien or Lakhipur in Assam’s Cachar district as their headquarters. They have been indulging in extortion and other illegal activities till date while the other faction with more militants, operating mainly from neighbouring Manipur, had signed agreement with Mizoram government in April, 2018 and had come overground after surrendering arms.