Mizoram: SIT formed to probe alleged murder of 15-year-old girl in Lunglei
Aizwal: Mizoram Police have formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged murder of a 15-year-old girl whose body was recovered in Lunglei district two days after she went missing, a senior police officer said on Friday.
Mizoram Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) H. Ramthlengliana said the girl, a resident of Mualthuam North, went missing after leaving her home at around 8.30 pm on August 3.
Following a search by local residents, her body was found around 10.20 am on August 5 on the premises of a government-run middle school in Mualthuam North, he said.
Police registered a case at Lunglei police station under Sections 103(1) and 140(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to murder and kidnapping.
A police team led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), accompanied by forensic experts, visited the site after the body was recovered. The team conducted an inquest and collected evidence as part of the investigation.
The girl's post-mortem examination was conducted at Lunglei Civil Hospital on Thursday, the police said.
The three-member SIT is headed by Lunglei SDPO R. Lalthankima and has been deployed in the village to carry out an intensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.
Police said no arrests have been made so far and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The state police have appealed to the public to cooperate with investigators and refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours that could affect the probe. People with credible information about the case have been urged to approach the authorities.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Education Minister Vanlalthlana had earlier condemned the incident and called for swift justice.
Lalduhoma expressed grief over the girl's death and said those responsible must be identified and brought to justice. In a Facebook post on August 5, he urged the public to cooperate with the investigation and assist police in apprehending the perpetrators.