Aizawl, Sept. 2 -- A 20-year-old man accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Mizoram's Lunglei district escaped from police custody in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting a massive search operation, police said.

The accused, Denghmingthanga, a resident of Mualthuam North village, escaped from Lunglei police custody around 1 a.m. while being questioned in connection with the murder case.

Police said he had been brought to Lunglei police station from Lunglei district jail on Monday for further interrogation.

He was last seen heading towards Rahsi Veng in Lunglei after his escape. Police have appealed to the public to immediately report any information about his whereabouts.

Denghmingthanga was arrested on August 20 along with Lalne...