Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20
An employee of the Veterinary Department was found murdered at Mukhami village in Zunheboto district. The body of the victim - Lunkholal Singson, a Veterinary Field Assistant posted in Zunheboto, was recovered in the wee hours of March 20 after he went missing on the night of March 17.
Two youths were arrested by the police in connection to the murder.
According to the VK Town police, based on the statement of the two accused, the body was found buried in a forested area along the Mukhami-Akuluto bypass road. The victim was onboard a Dimapur-bound night bus from Zunheboto on the night he went missing.
While stating that the motive was unclear, the police said that the victim was abducted at Mukhami when the bus made a stopover at the village, around 75km from Zunheboto. The victim reportedly had a convulsion and fell from his seat during the journey which prompted the other passengers to stop the bus at Mukhami.
As per the police account, he was ushered out of the bus and made to rest for sometime. As the bus waited for him to recover, one of the accused turned up at the spot and claiming to be an “underground” cadre started questioning Singson, who at the time was said to have been in a dazed state and could not respond.
For reasons unknown, the accused, who was later identified as Puloka Awomi (24 years), ordered the rest of the passengers and the bus to continue the journey leaving Singson behind. The police said that he reportedly told the occupants that he would take care of him.
As admitted by Awomi during interrogation, the police said that he confined and assaulted Singson at a house. Awomi was also suspected to have called up the family of the victim demanding ransom.
The next morning he contacted his friend, the other accused, identified as Vikato Shohe (22 years), for help. The two friends together reportedly assaulted Singson and fatally wounding him.
The duo then disposed the body as the rest of the villagers were attending Sunday Mass, the police said.
All the while, the police was not informed of the missing man with the police stating that information of the suspected abduction and murder was received on the evening of March 18 following which Awomi was arrested and later Shohe.
Stating that a case of murder has been registered at VK Town Police Station, the police said that post-mortem report was awaited. It was added that the driver of the bus was also detained for interrogation.
VKAGBA and VDBAMB condemns, demands swift justice
The VK Area GBs Association (VKAGBA), while condemning the murder, has cautioned against anybody trying to bail out the arrested persons and urged the police and administration to conduct a thorough and swift investigation to apprehend anyone else involved directly or indirectly.
It also lauded the effort of the EAC and OC, VK area for the arrests made and recovery of the dead body. It meanwhile said that the association has “resolved to initiate action as per Sumi customary law against all those involved in the gruesome act of crime, which has tarnished the image of VK area.” It further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
The VDB Association Medziphema Block (VDBAMB) also condemned the killing and urged the authorities to book the culprits and not grant them bail. A press from the VDB Association further urged all factions to co-operate in the case “if any of their members is/are found involved in the said incident.” Meanwhile, the VDB body prayed for solace for the bereaved family.
