Chin Man Found Dead in CYMA’s Office in Aizawl

15 July 2012: A Chin man was found dead inside the office of CYMA (Central Young Mizo Association) in Aizawl, Mizoram State of India.

The lifeless body of Than Aung, aka Bawia, from Taungphila of Kalayomyo in Sagaing Division, Burma, was discovered around midnight on Thursday.

The 45-year-old son of Pu Lian Thang died after being arrested and detained on suspicion of drug possessions around 2pm on 12 July and taken to CYMA’s office by members of CADS (Central Anti-Drug Squad), according to the victim’s family.

One of the victim’s relatives said: “Bawia was taken into custody because Lalmuankima from Tuirial village near Aizawl said he bought 16 grams of heroin from Bawia when he was caught earlier this week.”

“But when CADS member didn’t find any drug with Bawia, they detained him in their office in order to find out where the drugs are kept. We are not sure how he died,” explained the relative living in Aizawl.

CADS, a civilian vigilante group tasked to combat and prevent drugs, immediately informed the Aizawl Police of the incident but no action has been taken regarding the matter to date.

Saturday edition of a local newspaper quoted CYMA officials as saying that the victim died of pre-existing health conditions and that the organization has no hands in the mysterious death.

However, a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death was not conducted since an official first information report (FIR) was not made regarding the incident.

The body of Than Aung has reportedly been taken back to Burma by relatives who claimed it from the Aizawl Civil Hospital.

Reporting by Thawng Zel Thang
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