The Mizoram Police have lodged a case of murder and started investigations into the death of a rifleman posted with the 39 Assam Rifles at Mimbung in eastern Champhai district. The death was earlier recorded as a suicide.
Rifleman Ajit Rai, a 26-year-old who hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Singhpur village, had died from gunshot wounds on August 18 in the paramilitary forces camp. It was initially recorded as a case of suicide, but Ajit’s elder brother Atul, also posted as rifleman, alleged that Ajit was shot by three of his senior colleagues following an altercation. Atul also alleged that 39 Assam Rifles CO Colonel Siddhu was threatening the victim’s family so they won’t lodge an FIR.
Senior police officials said that bullets entered Ajit’s body in three locations, including the forehead and the left eye, which indicated that it was not a case of suicide.