Nagaland: Dimapur police apprehends 11 in kidnapping case

Kohima: 11 persons, including 9 cadres of the breakaway NSCN-R Akato Chophi group, were arrested by the Dimapur police on charges of kidnapping a resident of Dimapur. 

DCP (Crime) and PRO of Dimapur Police informed that on Saturday, at around 9:30 am, four unidentified persons entered the house of the victim Mon Bahadur Chetri alias Temjen Jamir, son of Inder Bahadur Chetri, a resident of Ahmed Husain Road Dimapur and abducted him.

A ransom of Rs 1 lakh was then demanded from the victim’s parents. The Dimapur police, on receipt of the information received, had conducted a joint operation with the 5th Assam Rifles at Padam Pukhuri Dimapur, Block-5 Lane-4. 

After arriving at the suspected house, a cordon and search was conducted at the residence of Benito Chophi, a self styled (SS) deputy kilonser of the NSCN Akato Chophy Group.  

The police informed that the victim was rescued and nine military wings cadres of NSCN/GPRN Akato Chophi group and two others were arrested. A case has been registered vide EAST PS CASE NO 0033/22 U/S 364 A/34 IPC R/W 25(1B) R/W 7/8 NSR and is under investigation.

The police also recovered one .22 pistol with mag, one .32 pistol with mag, one letter head of NSCN Akato Chophi group (promotion order), military uniform (one trouser and one cap), one register containing extortion details from transporters, eight smartphones and three other phones, one cancelled red (identification) cards, three cancelled blue cards.

The arrested persons were identified as SS Lt Colonel Isato Aye (36), son of Yevukhu Aye of Zhaphumi village, Akuluto, Zunheboto, presently residing at the NSCN/GPRN Mess (A) in Padumpukhuri; SS Lt Niputo Zhimomi (28), son of Khuheto Zhimomi of Zukihe village, Nuiland;  SS Lt Kakugha Zhimomi (30), son of Hukhuvi Zhimomi of Zukihe village, Niuland; SS Major Kughalu Chishi (42), son of Tohoi Chishi of Mapulumi village, Atoizu, Zunheboto; SS Kilonser Vikishe Ayemi (58), son of Nihozu Ayemi of Zhukhu village, Medziphema; SS Brigadier Hukato Chophy (49), son of Nizukhu Chophy of  Yehemi village, Suruhoto, Zunheboto; SS Jt Secretary Avika Chophy (37), son of Nikheto Chophy of  Yehemi village, Suruhoto, Zunheboto, presently residing at Borlingiri, KarbiAnglong, Assam; SS Major Tokato Awomi (32), son of Hevukhu Awomi of Aghunato village, Aghunato, Zunheboto; SS Sergeant David Yepthomi (40), son of Toluvi Yepthomi of Kuhuboto village, Niuland;  Lokho Leriena Mao (34), son of Daiho Mao of Shajouba village, Tadubi, Senapati, Manipur; and Awoto Awomi (18), son of Hevukhu Awomi of Aghunato village, Aghunato, Zunheboto. 

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