Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): A landmark judgement was passed by the District and Session Court, Dimapur last week where two persons were sentenced to twenty years rigorous imprisonment and eight others to undergo rigorous imprisonment for ten years for offences under the Arms Act. On November 15, 2005 a gang of dacoits shot dead Rafique Ahmed at around 12:45 midnight at a grocery shop of one Nandu Shah at Ghorapatty, Dimapur. The case was registered at East Police Station, Dimapur and after investigation, Police had arrested the ten accused persons while one is still absconding.
In a meet with media personnel, Additional Public Prosecutor, Dimapur Hutoi Yeptho, stated that the case was a one of its kind criminal case in Nagaland. The APP stated that the case involved the highest crime in the state where eleven accused are involved in a case of dacoity with murder.
It was also revealed that the accused were also involved in another dacoity case registered at the west Police Station, Dimapur where the victim was seriously injured. It was also informed that all legal process of the case is completed just the judgement is yet to be pronounced. It was further revealed that as per the charge sheet submitted by IO, the accused persons are also involved on other similar crimes committed in Assam and have several cases booked against them.
When APP Hutoi was asked why the case took almost five years, he responded that “the delay was because of several reasons like witnesses failing to turn up on fixed date for evidence and also one of the accused was arrested after six months.” Hutoi also stated that the landmark judgement makes an impact on the security of the public as after arresting the accused persons such instances of dacoity with murder have not been reported and wa said to have decreased. He also said that there has been no occurrence of such kind of crimes especially in Dimapur. He also stated that the role of Prosecutors have a vital role in dealing with criminal cases. “With the active investigation of the Police by providing all the necessary information and documents, this case could be successfully disposed off” he said.
