Diphupar abduction: Dimapur Police gets 48-hour deadline to arrest culprits

DIMAPUR — Following the alleged abduction of two Naga entrepreneurs at Diphupar in Chümoukedima on October 10 by members of the NSCN faction led by Niki Sumi, the public organisations of Diphupar have set 4 pm of October 12 as the deadline for police to arrest the culprit(s) involved in the case.

Representatives of the public organisations told a press conference on Friday that they will decide on the next course of action by Saturday—in the event of police failing to fulfil the demand.

The press conference was addressed by Akum Jamir, convenor of Business Association of Nagas (BAN); Tiatemsu, president of Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation; P Alem, president of Diphupar Ao Youth Forum; Throngli, executive members of BAN; and members of Foothill Ao Youth Organisation and others, at the Ao Youth Forum office in Diphupar.

They informed media persons that the two abducted victims were registered members of BAN as well as bona fide youths of Diphupar.

It was learned that an FIR was filed at East Police Station in Dimapur on October 10. However, they were yet to receive a ‘positive response’ from the cops.

They explained that cases of abduction and extortion occur frequently, but many a time the police find it difficult to act because of the involvement of Naga political groups (NPGs).

Investigating officers or police personnel find it difficult to gain entry into the designated camps of NPGs due to restrictions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, they said.

Ceasefire ground rules, they pointed out, prohibits the police from entering the camps—thus preventing them from extracting suspects or people involved in crimes.

Accordingly, they warned that the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group would be held responsible if the police cannot extract the culprits on Saturday.

The organisations also pointed out that the ceasefire ground rules require cadres to be confined to their designated camps and outlaws extortion, forceful collection of money and supplies and intimations of individuals, but “in this case, it has been; so we believe that these ground rules have been breached. And for any breach of law, befitting punishment as per the law of the land should be given.”

They appealed to the law enforcing agencies to see to it that the perpetrators are booked under relevant laws, warning that the public will no longer be mute spectators. They appealed to ‘all the able-bodied youth’ to be ready for any eventualities, if law enforcement agencies fail to book the culprit within the given time: by 4 pm on Saturday.

They also appealed for support from all quarters, and declared: “we will be telling you a time and a place by tomorrow where we will meet, in case the culprits are not caught. We will have a meeting and discuss the course of action by tomorrow evening.”

Meanwhile, they maintained that the identity of the victims, as of now, is confidential; but in due time, when it is required, they are willing to stand to testify.

It may be mentioned that the two victims were released on Thursday, following the intervention of police after an FIR was filed.

The organisations clarified that they are not going to take law into their own hands as they expect the government to deliver justice. “But when the system fails, we will have to stand for ourselves. So we do not want to discuss anything about what will or might happen,” they said.

The organisations also clarified that they were neither against the Naga national movement nor any ‘true national political workers’. “We are only against extortionists and criminals,” they asserted.