Mizo cop accidentally shot Chakma boy: police

Aizawl, June 7 (UNI) The shooting of a Chakma boy by a Mizoram police personnel at New Kawnpui near Mizoram-Tripura border on last Saturday was ''accidental,'' police sources said here today.

''Constable Samson Laldinthara of the 3rd Mizoram Armed Police (MAP) was asking the boy, identified as Dilip Chakma who lived near the police camp, for a glass of water. When the boy came back with water, he stumbled onto the AK-47 service rifle of the constable which had been put accidentally in a 'chamber' position and it went off piercing the side of the boy's stomach,'' quoting eye witnesses 3rd MAP commandant John Neihlaia said.

''The top cop also claimed that the boy was not seriously injured, ''He has 90 per cent chances for survival,'' he said contrary to earlier reports that the boy had died.

However, a source from Tripura told UNI here that the boy had reportedly succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Sources said the incident had triggered strong resentment among the Chakma villagers of North Kawnpui who demanded removal of the Mizoram police personnel from the area.

According to sources, the victim's family filed an FIR with Vanghmun police station, while another source reported that the Tripura police insisted that they take up the case as it took place under their jurisdiction.

The 3rd MAP commandant disclosed that they had discussed the matter with their Tripura counterparts.

UNI