Centre calls for report on court violence from Mizoram

The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Congress-ruled Mizoram government over violence on Lunglei court premises, which led to the Gauhati High Court withdrawing all judges from there.

The situation has acquired a political hue, with the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) demanding imposition of President's Rule in the state.

Former Mizoram Chief Minister and MNF leader Zoramthanga has threatened that he would write to the President and the Prime Minister on the issue.

"There is 'complete breakdown' of law and order in the state, which shares its borders with countries like Bangladesh and Myamnar," he said.

A source in the central government said here on Wednesday: "The Union Home Ministry is seized of the matter. We are waiting for a detailed report."

The situation took a serious turn after a mob from Zohnuai locality near Sherkon area of Lunglei attacked the district court building with stones and bricks and also ransacked the official residence of a judge last Thursday.

The violence erupted after a 26-year-old murder accused was brought to the court for allegedly killing a man in Zohnuai on August 27.

A section in the mob alleged that the accused was already given judicial custody following a hearing in the jail itself.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh had severely criticised the violence outside the court.

Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Ajit Singh called the episode a "dark chapter" and urged the Chief Minister "to take stringent action against the culprits".

An irked Chief Justice also withdrew all the three judges from Lunglei, including the District and Sessions Judge R Thanga, and attached them to Aizawl on Thursday itself.

"The Lunglei district court is not working currently," a local journalist Pu Lalriana confirmed IANS over phone.

The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry under Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner K. Gopinathan. It has also "recommended suspension of Lunglei District Deputy Commissioner" to the Union Home Ministry.

So far, police have arrested 27 suspects in connection with the violence.

Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, besides Assam, fall under the jurisdiction of Gauhati High Court, while Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim have separate state high courts.

--IANS

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