Dimapur, May 23 (MExN): Lotha Hoho Dimapur today stated that the unlawful intrusion into the residence of Nagaland Home Minister Y. Patton’s son at Sovima late Saturday night appears to be well planned and serious crime that calls for immediate action.
The armed man intruded into the house with criminal motive as is clearly evident from his behaviour and acts as narrated by Jackson, the victim, a press release from LHD Chairman, TL Merry and General Secretary, Renathung Ezung said.
It asserted that such crime needs to be curbed with utmost austerity by authorities concerned and befitting punishment awarded to the perpetrators to root out all such crimes and lawlessness. Condemning the incident, the Hoho warned that the accused should not be given chance to escape under any circumstances, and that no such “dangerous, excessive social menace” should be taken as a stray incident.
Considering the degree of the crime, which also involved indiscriminate firing at the building and theft of two licensed weapons, Lotha Hoho Dimapur, an affiliate member of Naga Council Dimapur, appealed to all law abiding citizens to condemn the crime and help initiate stern action at the earliest.
In a separate press release, Village Council Sovima (VCS) and Sovima Village Youth Organisation (SVYO) condemned the incident and added it is suspected that the armed man might have entered the residence to intimidate or kill Jackson. In this light, the two organizations have requested the authority concerned to consider the case seriously and book the accused at the earliest and award befitting punishment. They further assured to extend full cooperation to the authority.
The NPF Central Hqs. Kohima has also denounced the incident and stated that no stone should be left unturned to apprehend the accused. A press release from NPF Press Bureau said that according to the victim and complainant Jackson, it was “not a case of robbery but assassination bid or intimidation.” NPF Dimapur division also condemned the episode and reminded the authority concerned to take swift action and apprehend the person (s) involved.
Condemning the incident, the Wokha Town Old Riphyim Union has in a press release also appealed to the law enforcing agency to bring the culprit(s) to book at the earliest and award befitting punishment according to the law of the land.
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has also condemned the incident and appealed to the law enforcing agencies to book the accused at the earliest possible time and take action according to the law of the land so that the motive behind it will be brought to the knowledge of all.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU), Wokha termed the incident “very abusive not only to the concerned person and family but a direct insult to the community in general.” The union cautioned that it will not tolerate against anyone committing such “atrocious crime” on innocent citizens. It also called upon every right thinking citizens to condemn the incident and remain vigilant to do away with such transgressions in Naga society. Further, LSU urged the competent authority to thoroughly investigate and book the accused immediately.
Taking serious note of the crime, the Old Riphyim (Mona-moni) Association has also urged the Police and administration concerned to give their best effort to arrest the accused at the earliest. The association also condemned the incident and chided the perpetrator(s) for “using innocent citizens as soft target for their self vested interest.” It appealed to all sections of society to remain vigilant and jointly aid in uprooting such crime.
