Mizoram: Three cops dead as militants fire at MLAs’ convoy

The state government said in a statement the gunmen are believed to be of Hmar People’s Convention (Democrats), or HPCD, a group based in southern Manipur.

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The group (which splintered from a larger group called the Hmar People’s Convention, or HPC, that joined mainstream politics in 1994), claims to demand constitutional autonomy for Hmar tribe spread over north Mizoram and south Manipur.

Saturday’s ambush took place near Zokhawthiang (formerly known as Kani) — a village close to Tuiruang river that separates the three states — shortly after 8 am on Saturday, police sources said.

The convoy was shot at from multiple angles — pictures of the vehicles show windshields, rear windows and doors were shot at.

The ensuing gunfight took out most of the armed policemen — sub-inspector Zoramthara (officer-in-charge of the police station at Sakawrdai), his driver Chuailova (attached to the 1st Mizoram Armed Police battalion) and MAP constable Hmangaihmawia.

Those who were injured included Zarzoliana (sub-divisional police officer of Sakawrdai), havildar Vanthuama, constables Lalhmangaiha and Lalkhawngaiha, a peon working in the assembly named Zohminga, and MLA R L Pianmawia’s driver Chhuanawma.

Senior officers said that as the firing continued, R L Pianmawia, who is chairman of the government committee, put his hands in the air and shouted to the gunmen that they were surrendering.

The militants stopped firing after this and reached the spot where the convoy stopped on the dirt track. They collected all the weapons and left.

Police are trying to ascertain the role believed to be played in the ambush by former MAP constable Malsawmkima, who decamped with two rifles from Sakawrdai last year and is believed to have joined the militant group.

Five of the six men injured were airlifted from Sakawrdai to Aizawl. The bodies of the three killed are being brought to Aizawl by road.