TNT NEWS

AIZAWL: Three policemen were killed and five others injured when militants, suspected to be cadres of Manipur-based Hmar People’s Convention-Democratic, ambushed a convoy of three MLAs, in northern Mizoram bordering Manipur and Assam around 9:00 am Saturday .

Sub-inspector K Zoramthara, officer-in-charge of Sakawrdai police station, driver Chuailova and constable Hmangaihmawia, who were travelling in a pilot vehicle got killed when the militants opened fire on them in a remote place between Zokhawthiang and Tinghmun, near Tuiruang river that separates the three states, police sources said.

According to an official statement, Zarzoliana, SDPO, Sakawrdai, Havildar Vanthuama, constable Lalhmangaiha, Constable Lalkhawngaiha, driver Lalchhuanawma and Zohmingthanga were injured.

RL Pianmawia, chairman of the Mizoram Assembly Committee on Government Assurances, and two other members – Lalthanliana and lone woman MLA Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, accompanied by assembly officials were touring the area to inspect development infrastructures. All the MLAs and officials escaped unhurt.

The Assembly committee members were guarded by a few armed policemen. Aizawl district SP C Laldina and police reinforcements had rushed to the site of the ambush. The militants were believed to ten to 12 in number and armed with AK-47 rifles and G3. Unconfirmed sources said the militants took the police’s weapons away after the ambush.

While the injured persons were airlifted from Sakawrdai to Aizawl, the deceased were brought by road. They will be accorded a full police funeral at the 1st Mizoram Armed Police ground in Aizawl at 8:00 am Sunday , a government source said.

The government has strongly condemned the attack at a time when Mizoram government is seeking peace negotiations with the militants.