Dimapur Police has dismissed NSCN-K (Nikki)’s accusation of fake kidnapping charges as baseless, a blatant lie, and a deliberate and intentional attempt to deceive the general public.
Reacting to the news item, the Commissioner of Police (CP) has urged the people to be cautious against such modus operandi adopted for fraudulent financial gains. Sharing details, he said a complaint was received on March 24 regarding abduction of two persons who were transporting ginger from Manipur in the early hours of March 23 from Raju Daba at Pherima.
It was also learned that the kidnappers took the duo along with the Eicher truck (AS01PC 6016) to an undisclosed location and demanded an initial ransom amount of Rs 30 lakh, which was subsequently reduced to Rs 20 lakh before further negotiating it to Rs 8 lakh.
On receipt of information, CP mentioned that CCTV footage was retrieved from Raju Daba, where it was ascertained that around five to six kidnappers in two Alto cars and one Maruti 800 kidnapped the victims.
The police immediately swung into action, tracked down the kidnappers and arrested the four accused from Toluvi at 1 p.m., besides rescuing the victims. Upon interrogation, the four kidnappers claimed that the victims were smuggling drugs.
Thereafter, acting on face value of the claim, CP mentioned that efforts were made to find if the victims were indeed drug smugglers. However, no such consignment was found either from their possession or in the vehicle.
The place where the victims were kept hostage was also thoroughly searched, but no substance was found. The accused were then asked where the drugs they claimed to have seized were kept.
However, they could not produce the drugs. Thus, it was ascertained that branding the victims as drug smugglers to intimidate and threaten for ransom was the modus operandi of the kidnappers.
CP said the four arrested kidnappers had been identified as– SS leacy NSCN (Nikki) KiyetoAchumi (58 yrs), s/o. Lt. Kikhehe Achumi, v/o. Tichipami, P.S Suruhuto, Zunheboto Dist, P/A Purana Bazar “B” Dimapur; SS rajapeyu NSCN (Nikki) Aluvi Chophy (43 yrs) s/o Lt. Hoishe V/O Tichipami, P.S Suruhuto, Zunheboto Dist, P/A Purana Bazar “B” Dimapur; SS leacy NSCN (Nikki) Hushika Kiba (30 yrs) S/o Tokivi Kiba, V/o. Zhekishi P/S Niuland, P/A Purana Bazar “B” Sukhato Colony Dimapur and SS ‘sgt. maj.’ NSCN (Nikki) Emugha Achumi (27 yrs) s/o SukhatoAchumi, V/o. Awotsakili P/S Atoizu, Zunheboto Dist, P/A Ekranipathar Dimapur.
The Maruti 800 (AS23C 1010) used in commission of the crime was also seized. CP pointed out that all factions had been reminded on many occasions through the office of the chairman, CFMG/CFSB that they should not take law into their hands and that, if in any case they chance upon any narcotics, they should hand over the same to either the nearest police station or to police headquarters through CFMG/CFSB under proper receipt and following due procedures.
CP mentioned that one of the accused Hushika Kiba of the NSCN K (Nikki), and wanted in West Police Station case no. 6/25 I/S 309(4)3(5)/ 312 BNS, was also arrested. During the course of investigation, he claimed that Hushika Kiba confessed that his other accomplices in the case were Qhutoho Kiba, Tatar Joel and Khapur Hotoshe, all of whom were still evading arrest and efforts were being made to arrest them.
Regarding the photos released to the media showing the victims and some unknown persons against the background of the hijacked vehicle and some packaged items, CP said the accused had confessed during interrogation that the packaged items alleged to be contraband items were brought and arranged by other members of the NSCN-K (Nikki). CP mentioned that efforts were on to arrest other members of the faction involved in the case.