Lunglei, Jan 3: Police in south Mizoram’s Lunglei town have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with the murder of a 78-year-old widow, officials said on Thursday.
The accused was taken into custody on January 2 for the alleged killing of K Vanlalngaii, who was found dead inside her residence at Bazar Veng locality on Wednesday.
The victim lived alone in a building, part of which also functioned as an Anganwadi centre. The accused is a resident of the same locality.
According to the police, the man confessed to the crime during sustained interrogation. Preliminary investigations indicate that the murder may have been committed for financial gain, as locals claimed the woman had received charity donations during the Christmas period.
The deceased and her late husband were former members of the Mizo National Army (MNA), the armed wing of the Mizo National Front (MNF), which spearheaded the secessionist movement in the state between 1966 and 1986.
The accused was produced before a local court on Thursday and was remanded to judicial custody on Friday. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances and motive behind the crime.
