3 NPG cadres arrested by police for Dimapur firing

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 28 

Three persons, including a high ranking member of the NSCN-K (Niki) were arrested by the Dimapur police in connection to a series of four separate instances of allegedly unprovoked firing (in the air) in residential areas on October 27. 

A press release from the Dimapur Police PRO informed that two separate cases were registered at West Police Station. 

The barrage of gunshots, which came as a shock to citizens after a relatively extended spell of quiet, happened on October 27. The first three instances of firing happened in quick succession and, as per the Dimapur police, “between 1:25 am to 1:38 am” at Nepali Basti, Residency Colony and Notun Bosti. The fourth happened at around 6:30 pm at Landmark colony (formerly PWD colony).

The three accused “were arrested with huge quantity of arms and ammunition within 2 hours of the last firing incident,” the release said. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime proved crucial in the police tracking down the accused. The release said, “During investigation, the team collected intelligence in the area and gathered the information. The route was analysed and CCTV footage of cameras was obtained. On analysis of CCTV footage and statement of eye witnesses, a search operation was launched to catch the suspected white Bolero used by miscreants.” 

The arrested were identified as Kilonser Nikato Pilot Sumi (31 years), who is also the Supervisor of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) and his two bodyguards— Sergeant Major Awang Konyak (28 years) and Sergeant Wahkoi Konyak (28 years). 

Among the list of weapons seized included one HK 33 rifle, one AK 47 rifle, one 7.65 calibre pistol along with ammunition and knives. A Mahindra Bolero used in the commission of the crime and cash amounting to Rs 1,82,700 were also confiscated. 

There was no official word on the motive of the firings. When contacted for further details, the PRO said that the police can arrive at a conclusion only after completing the investigation. 

According to other sources, the firings heard between 1:25 am to 1:38 am, October 27, were reportedly provoked by a road incident at Residency colony. There are, however, contradictory versions. 

One version stated that the vehicle, the three accused were traveling in, was reportedly not given the opportunity to pass by a car ahead. The car was overtaken and stopped, leading to an argument on the road and the eventual firing in the air that cracked the silence of the night. A phone belonging to the occupant of the car ahead was also allegedly smashed. 

Another version stated that the accused entered the residence, which was nearby, of the car owner (a woman) and intimidated her. The woman’s husband was said to be a policeman but the Dimapur police ruled out the aggression was linked to the woman’s husband being a police person.   

NSCN-K (Niki) assures thorough investigation 
The NSCN-K (Niki) came out with a press statement stating that it has taken “serious note of some of our members being involved in the 'blank firing' incident in the heart of Dimapur town on Wednesday, October 27.” 

The release issued by its Kilonser, Public Relations & NGOs, Z Swu, stated that the incidents “may have caused some sort of a trauma and confusion in the minds of the Naga people” at a time when the Nagas are awaiting a solution to the Indo-Naga conflict. 

It stated that the organization has undertaken a task to thoroughly investigate the incident and circumstances that led to the incident involving one of its top functionaries and residents of the area where it happened. 

While stating that peace is paramount, it condemned “any incident that vitiates the peaceful atmosphere brought about through tireless efforts of all stakeholders in the Naga peace process.”

DDCF condemns
The Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF), in a press release, condemned the incident terming it a “cowardly act of violence by some anti-social elements by forcefully entering the residence of an outstation serving Nagaland Police officer and harassing his innocent housewife and thereafter resorting to blank firing in a public place at Residency Colony and some other nearby places in Dimapur on 27th October 2021.”

It said that acts of violence aimed at intimidating and creating fear psychosis have no place in a civilized society. It further urged the law enforcement agencies “to book the culprits as per the law and punish them befittingly.”