DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 6 (MExN): Three persons have been arrested by the Nagaland Police in connection with the murder of a taxi driver, late Swuduve Nakro, whose body was found on September 3 near Zhievü-zie located at Chiechama.
A press note from the Sr Superintendent of Police, Kohima identified the three persons as Toishe Aye (28), Daniel Yimchunger (31) and Avito Zhotso (41).
The press note informed that Toishe Aye (28 yrs) was caught along with the missing taxi by Satakha Police on September 4, and subsequently Kohima Police brought the accused and the vehicle to Kohima.
Meanwhile, after intensive search operation conducted by Kohima Police from September 3 to 5, two more accused namely Daniel Yimchunger and Avito Zhotso were apprehended from Kohima Town.
During search of accused Daniel Yimchunger, Kohima Police informed that it recovered 83 blank demand notes for vehicle Tax (2017-2018) and 3 detached blank information slips for union traders and contractors (yearly tax of 2017- 2018) issued by the NSCN/GPRN (K).
Further, one Maruti Alto 800 (white colour) belonging to accused Avito Khotso was also seized.
Citing initial statements, the Kohima Police said that two of the accused, namely: Toishe Aye and Daniel Yimchunger had connived and hired the said Local Taxi from PHQ Point Kohima at around 8:00pm on September 2 on the pretext of proceeding down to Wokha. After reaching Zhievü-zie, located at Chiechama Village, the two accused asked the Taxi driver to halt.
Kohima Police said that that subsequently Toishe Aye threatened the driver with a pistol, who resisted and a scuffle ensued. “During the scuffle the pistol dropped on the ground however, the other accused Daniel Yimchunger joined his partner by hitting the deceased on the head with a club made of bamboo root resulting in the death of Late. Swuduve Nakro,” the police statement said.
The two then left the body below a marketing shed and proceeded to Tseminyu, from where Daniel Yimchunger called up Avito Khotso who was in Kohima to come to Tseminyu.
“After the arrival of accused Avito Khotso at Tseminyu, altogether three of them proceeded further to Satakha, where accused Toishe Aye stayed back with local Taxi of the deceased while accused Daniel Yimchunger and accused Avito Khotso returned to Kohima on September3,” the police informed.
It further stated that Toishe Aye and accused Daniel Yimchunger have “voluntarily admitted before the police to have committed the murder with the motive to steal the local taxi and make easy money.”
Meanwhile, Kohima Police also revealed that as per police records, accused Toishe Aye is a Captain in the NSCN (K) and was involved in a 2008 case for illegal possession of arms and another extortion case in 2013.
The second accused Daniel Yimchunger is a 2nd Lieutenant of the NSCN (K) and was involved in three extortion and illegal possession of firearms cases in year 2011, 2012 and 2013, police added.
The third accused Avito Zhotso was also found involved in three cases related to extortion, theft and robbery in 2011, 2012 and 2015, police added.
The three arrested persons were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Kohima and have been remanded to police custody.
The Kohima Police meanwhile assured that “all possible efforts will be made to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted and charges are filed against the culprits appropriately.”
Taxi’s to remain off roads from 7:00am to 4:00pm today
Agitated taxi drivers under the banner of All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) today stormed into South Police Station Kohima, demanding that the accused in the taxi driver murder case be handed over to them.
“We want justice. We want justice” shouted the angry taxi drivers on the street while marching to the police station. However, after heated exchanges, ANTA leaders managed to calm the agitators and the crowd subsequently dispersed
President of the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA), Vibasetuo Solo has meanwhile informed a black day would be observed in remembrance of the deceased on September 7. He informed that taxis would not ply across the state from 7:00am to 4:00pm starting September 7 till further notice.
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