Brothers chop off man's hand at Merapani village

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, April 11: In a gruesome incident two brothers chopped off the left hand of a man in Merapani in the Bhandari region situated along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border. The incident took place at the residence of the accused at Merapani village on Tue. April 10 between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. According to Bhandari police sources, the victim, who was identified as Chenio Ovung (40) of Lotsu village, and a resident of Merapani village was attacked by two brothers identified to be Kania and Goti Kachari. He was reportedly attacked with a Naga machete after which they fled the scene. The police source said 'as per the account of the victim' Ovung, he was said to be under the influence of alcohol then. On Tuesday evening as he was returning to Merapani and was crossing the house of the accused, they got in his way and dragged him to their house where he was attacked. Reports said his hand was chopped off by Kania, who after the attack reportedly 'fled the scene along with their family.' The accused and victim are said to be friends residing in the same locality and work as daily wage earners. On receiving information, police personnel rushed to the scene and found the victim in an unconscious state. He was stated to have been rushed to a clinic in Merapani. From there he was shifted to Bhandari hospital before being referred to Dimapur, reports said. The motive behind the attack has yet to be established. The accused along with their family are still at large, it was informed. A complaint has been registered in this connection and investigation is on, it was informed. Details can be ascertained only after the accused are apprehended and the victim is in position to give a statement, the police source said.