In a tragic incident that has shocked the local community, a 78-year-old woman was discovered dead inside her residence in Lunglei, Mizoram, on Wednesday night, with police strongly suspecting foul play and murder.
Discovery of the Crime
The deceased has been identified as K Vanlalngaii. Her lifeless body was found at approximately 9 pm at her home located in the Kikawn Bazar Veng area of Lunglei. The grim discovery was made by her own children, who live separately from their mother. They immediately alerted the local authorities.
Lunglei Superintendent of Police, J Lalmuankima, confirmed that Vanlalngaii lived alone in the locality. Following the alert, a forensic science team was dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough examination of the body and the premises, marking the beginning of a detailed investigation.
Evidence Points to Violent Homicide
Preliminary findings from the police examination revealed a disturbing picture. The elderly woman bore significant injuries on her neck and on the left side of the back of her head. Based on the nature of these wounds, investigators believe she was likely struck on the head with a blunt object, which ultimately led to her death.
Further details emerged about Vanlalngaii's living situation. She was economically disadvantaged and had been living alone in an anganwadi building, where she stayed free of rent. Police revealed that she relied on financial assistance from local residents and was believed to have kept more than Rs 20,000 with her. This crucial detail has led investigators to a primary motive: they suspect she was killed during a robbery attempt.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
After the mandatory post-mortem examination was completed, Vanlalngaii's body was taken to her son’s residence in Luangmual. She was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon, as the community mourned her loss.
The Lunglei Police Station has registered a formal case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to murder. Authorities have stated that investigations are actively underway. As of now, no arrests have been made, and police are pursuing all leads to apprehend the perpetrator(s).
The murder of K Vanlalngaii has cast a pall over Lunglei, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by elderly citizens living alone. The police continue to appeal for any information from the public that could aid in solving this brutal crime.
