Accused Thomas W. Humtsoe alias Abemo
DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (MExN): The main accused involved in the gruesome May 16 triple homicide at Boro-Lengri, Karbi-Anglong fell into the police dragnet, bringing an end to the mystery surrounding the ghastly act. On the run, the accused identified as Thomas W. Humtsoe, alias Abemo (19 years) hailing from Humtso village, Wokha was arrested from Wokha on May 21 by a team of Dimapur police in coordination with Wokha police. Since the crime occurred in Assam, the accused was handed over to Khatkhati police station, where the case is registered. A second accused identified as Chumdemo Tsanglao remains absconding.
Superintendent of Police, Dimapur, VZ Angami, in a media briefing stated that the accused was tracked down at a farmhouse about 25 kilometers away from Wokha town. He added that the accused did not put up any resistance during his arrest. Later in police custody, he confessed to the crime.
Quoting Humtsoe’s confessional statement, the SP stated that late Rhunsuo Odyuo, the accused Humtsoe and the absconding Tsanglao were long time associates. The former two had been involved in petty crimes, eventually parting ways.
The day before the murder occurred, Humtsoe had come to Dimapur and was staying at 6th Mile. The next day, he along with Tsanglao had gone out together and are said to have visited the railway station area, the SP stated. While there, Humtsoe called up Odyuo for a meeting since, according to his statement, they had not been in touch for a long time.
The latter agreed, and came to pick them up after which they went to his house in Boro-Lengri for a get-together. The entire day, leading up to the time of the murder, the three spent their time drinking, even taking a break for a game of football at the playground. Sometime in the evening, after dark, the drinks ran out and Rhunsuo along with Humtsoe went out to replenish their drinks. Meanwhile, Tsanglao dozed off.
After getting the drinks, Odyuo and Humtsoe settled down in the playground to drink some more. Tsanglao later joined them, the SP quoting the statement stated. It was around that time, Odyuo and Humtsoe got into a verbal quarrel and in due course Odyuo hit Humstoe with a stick on the face injuring him. The quarrel was eventually settled after Odyuo apologised for the aggression, even asking his old associate to stay back for the night. But Humtsoe, according to his statement, could not get over the quarrel.
After a while, Humtsoe excused himself to use the toilet, went to the house and returned with a dao. He then struck Odyuo with the dao, killing him at the playground. Seeing, the sudden act of aggression, Tsanglao is said to have fled the scene in fright and did not return. Humtsoe then went to the house and killed the two women, Odyuo’s wife and sister, who were sleeping in separate rooms. He told police that the two women were killed as he did not want to leave witnesses.
To make the scene look like a case of robbery and rape, Humtsoe is said to have pulled off the women’s garments from the waist down. He tried to drive away in Odyuo’s car but the car got stuck in a rut. From there, he eventually got to 6th Mile and met up with Tsanglao, who is said to have been waiting for him. Humtsoe headed for Wokha the next morning, while Tsanglao disappeared. According to the SP, he was spotted in Wokha on May 20 after which a team of Dimapur police was mobilised. He was captured at around 6:45 am, Tuesday.
