Kuzhovesa Soho
Phek | June 18
In view of the two recent ‘highway robbery’ incidents in Phek, the FGN has clarified the “actual facts.”
According to “Captain” S. Tsutso of the “15th battalion Southern Command” an “enquiry committee” was set up following the incidents so as to nab the “real culprits.” He said that his battalion was ‘directly or indirectly’ blamed by the certain sections of the society as the sole perpetrator.
The culprits were nabbed by the battalion, according to Tsutso. It was disclosed that on May 24, one Thuvoduyi Keyho and one Zhoshekho Venuh, both from Phek village stopped a personal vehicle (Van) belonging to a Junior Engineer (JE), Pitor, from Thetumi village near Losami Junction (Sekrezu Nallah). He and his two companions were looted of a Nokia handset, a CD remote, his Identity Card and a cash amount of Rs.23, 000. The engineer who was proceeding towards Kiphire town along with his two friends, were blindfolded and manhandled by the two extortionists. The two were armed with local rifles and dressed in Army uniform, Tsutso added.
According to the “authority report,” after leaving one looted Nokia handset along with Rs.400/- out of Rs.23,000/- to his friend Thuvoduyi Keyho, Zhoshekho Venuh proceeded down to Dimapur the next day of the incident. He pocketed the remaining cash and the JE’s ID Card.
Thuvoduyi is in the custody of FGN while Zhoshekho is still hiding somewhere in Dimapur Town, it was informed. Tsutso said that JE Pitor was personally called at Phek Village Community Hall and was handed his looted Nokia handset and the CD remote. Subsequently the JE, as a sign of gratitude handed over a cash of Rs.2000 to the Adjutant.
Mention was made that on June2, 2007, Thuvoduyi Keyho and Kusivo of Phek village made looted a hired Tata Sumo at Lanye Junction. The vehicle was occupied by a driver and three Pochury ladies who were proceeding towards Meluri town. According to FGN sources the three ladies were forcefully ejected out from the vehicle and mercilessly beaten up. The two extortionists armed with a .22 Rifles seized two Nokia handsets, one Sony Ericsson handset, a cash of Rs.9600 and half a case of rum. The two extortionists claimed that they were from NSCN (IM). Tsutso stated that as in the first incident, the three looted mobiles were slated to be handed over to the three ladies.
Tsutso said the two culprits were bound with an agreement that ‘if they are caught involving in this kind of activities in the near future a fine of Rupees one lakh each would be imposed upon them. Meanwhile, a search is on for Zhoshekho Venuh.
While condemning the crime, Tsutso urged the general public and the to wipe out the “evil instinct” in the society instead of blaming the authority without evidence. He further urged the other factions to carry out the same mission in order to give good gestures to the general public. He also said to have directed the concerned village authority to take its own course of action against the culprits as deemed fit according to the customary laws, failing which they shall be held responsible if such cases arose in the near future.
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