Victims’ decomposed bodies found a week later
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20
Two FGN (Non Accordist) cadres were found shot dead near a village in Meluri and their decomposed bodies discovered a week later. One of the bodies was charred beyond recognition. According to the Phek police, the dead bodies were discovered by villagers in a forested area about 1-2 km away from Mokie village on March 19. “We (police) were informed of the dead bodies around 3:00 pm yesterday by the villagers,” a senior official of the Phek police told The Morung Express.
Mokie village is located around 60 km from the Meluri sub-divisional headquarters but takes 6-7 hours by car owing to deplorable road conditions. By the time police reached the site of the incident, the villagers had already relocated the dead bodies to the village. As per the preliminary inquest, the Phek police official said that the two victims bore bullet marks shot from behind, raising suspicion that they were executed. Both the victims were members of the FGN (NA), one was a Brigadier, in his forties, and the other his bodyguard in the rank of private. The bodyguard’s body was charred beyond recognition.
Three other cadres, who were said to have been with the two victims before their bodies were discovered, went missing. The official said that a case was registered at the Meluri Police Station and investigation was on.
No shelter to the accused: PAPO
The Phokhungri Area Public Organisation (PAPO) issued a statement condemning the killing. The PAPO, in the statement, identified the victims as Brigadier Eleazar Whuchitu Thupitor of Mokie village and his personal bodyguard, Pvt Shetshale of Old Thewati village. It said that the dead bodies were discovered a week later by villagers and family members on March 19.
It accused three individuals, namely— Ventsüthong, Zükhomong and Puisang, as behind the killing. According to the statement, the killing occurred on March 12 on the outskirts of Mokie village. “In an attempt to destroy evidences, they set fire to the dead body of Shetshale, who was burnt beyond recognition,” the release said.
While it was not stated in the statement, the PAPO President, when contacted for further details said that the three individuals were new FGN (NA) recruits. The family of the victims started a search after they lost phone contact after March 12.
The statement from the PAPO further said that such killing is unjustifiable at a time “when the Nagas have already accepted dialogue for peaceful solution.” While it appeals the authority in concern to book the culprits and deliver justice at the earliest, it warned against sheltering of the absconding accused. It said, “Any factions sheltering or enrolling these perpetrators shall be doing so at their own risks and shall be treated as claiming responsibility for this killing and the PAPO shall initiate non-cooperation towards the party involved.”
