Mizo Students' Union President Arrested for Kidnapping and Extortion in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mizoram: The Mizoram Police arrested Samuel Zoramthanpuia, President of the Mizo Students' Union (MSU), on Friday over alleged involvement in a kidnapping and extortion incident involving a non-local employee of M/S Satnam Global Infraproject Ltd., a company operating under the Mizoram Power & Electricity Department.

The case began on September 19, 2024, when Bhanu Shankar Rabidas, an employee of Satnam Global Infraproject Ltd. and resident of Tuikuahtlang in Aizawl, filed an FIR at the Aizawl Police Station. According to Rabidas, he was approached at a shop by a man who, after learning of his employment, led him to the MSU office in Aizawl's Tuikual locality. There, he was confronted by MSU President Samuel Zoramthanpuia, who demanded that Rabidas call his manager.

After the call, Electrical Supervisor Jitendra Kumar Yadav and sub-contractor Atikur Rahaman Khan arrived at the MSU office. Samuel allegedly demanded a sum of Rs. 2 lakhs from the company, and when they couldn’t provide the amount, he and several MSU members detained the three employees in the MSU office for seven hours.

Rabidas stated in his FIR that around 10 MSU members threatened the three men, claiming they would not be released until the demanded amount was paid. Fortunately, the Mizoram Police rescued the detained employees at around 5 p.m. on the same day, freeing them from the MSU office's placement cell.

Earlier on Friday, Samuel was initially detained by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for alleged misappropriation of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund under charges of cheating and fraud. Later, Aizawl Police arrested him again in connection with the kidnapping and extortion case. Samuel faces multiple charges under Sections 127(2), 127(7), 140(2), 3(5), and 309(5) of the BNS based on Rabidas’ complaint.

Following his arrest, Samuel Zoramthanpuia was remanded to judicial custody and transferred to the Central Jail in Tanhril, Aizawl. This arrest has stirred local attention, with many calling for stricter enforcement against criminal activities that undermine public safety.

The incident highlights growing concerns over the role of certain groups in alleged unlawful activities within the state, sparking a renewed dialogue on maintaining security for all residents and wor