Two Burmese " Mizoram Liberation Front" Members Escape Police Arrest Following Truck Hijack:

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
July 17, 2003

Mizoram Police have arrested members of the Mizoram Liberation Front (MLF) accused of hijacking a truck carrying gas cylinders on National Highway (NH) 54 on July 11, while two other members of the MLF have escaped being arrested, said sources of North East Press Service (NEPS). The two MLF members on the run from police are Burmese nationals.

Five MLF members, including a leader of the MLF, allegedly hijacked a truck carrying gas cylinders on NH.54 between Aizawl and Silchar on July 11. The hijackers took 1500 rupees from the truck driver Chandra Mohan Singh and tied him up along with his helper Bimal Singh, leaving them with a note containing a seven point memorandum and signed "MIZORAM LIBERATION FRONT". The hijackers then stopped a vehicle going towards Aizawl and took a ride up to Chandmari in the city where they split into two groups, said the sources.

Using the note left by the hijackers, the police traced the leader Vanhnuaithanga, son of Hrangchhinga, to Bawngkawn and arrested him on the same day of the hijacking. Vanhnuaithanga, a habitual offender who had been recently released from jail on July 5, confessed and the rest of his accomplices were arrested on Saturday in the city.

Vanhnuaithanga (president), C. Rualkhuma (vice-President), Lalthanpuia (secretary), Lalthlamuansanga and Vansangliana, all members of the MLF, were arrested along with a computer, a country-made .32 pistol, and two .22 cartridges. Police said that except for the two MLF members who are absconding, Joseph and Lalhuapliana, both Burmese nationals, the rest of the outfit has been put behind bars with the arrest of these five persons.

According to President Vanhnuaithanga, the Mizoram Liberation Front was recently formed with the stated motive of " saving Mizoram from falling prey to greed, corruption and poverty".