Officio-principal looted at gunpoint
Dimapur, May 25 (MExN): Unidentified gunmen on May 19 sneaked into the Punglwa Sainik School at around 12:35 AM and looted the officiating principal of the school. The gunmen, said to have been armed with sophisticate weapons, looted him of Rs 1,500 and a mobile phone handset at gunpoint. Jalukie police officials informed that eight of the felons came to the school. One of them entered the residence of the teacher after overpowering the security guard at the gate while the others loitered at the gate. It is learned that one of the gunmen was even armed with an AK 47 rifle. The police security guard was overpowered and held hostage at the gates, while a gatekeeper of the school was told to take the gunmen to the residence of the officiating principal.
Narrating the incident over the phone, the victim Kanu Barman, the senior-most teacher and officiating principal of the school, said he was sleeping when the gunmen and the gatekeeper came knocking at the door. The felons came inside and posed some questions including one that asked whether Barman knew how many factions there are in Nagaland state. The felon said he belonged to one of the Naga underground factions. He demanded Rs 3 lakhs. However, as Barman was not in a position to pay that amount, the gunman asked for 1 lakh. Barman said that he could not pay that amount as well, so the felon again demanded Rs 10,000. He finally asked Barman to give whatever money he had. Barman had Rs 1,500 with him, which the offenders took and also demanded the mobile handset of Barman.
Barman was with his wife and children who were visiting him for a few days. He informed that the gunman wore denim pants and shirt. While leaving, the gunman threatened barman not to come out and that he would shoot if he disobeyed.
Barman informed that the DIG of Dimapur and OC Jalukie came to the school. Security guards at the school have been increased to four NAP personnel. An FIR has been lodged at the Jalukie Police station, and “investigation is on”, although no arrests have been made so far, police sources informed.
Nonetheless, Barman appealed that such incidents should not be repeated in the future. There are many teachers from outside Nagaland and that they would fear to work in the school if such criminal activities recur. This will consequently affect the academic career of the students and also the functioning of the school.
