Village serves ultimatum after NSCN cadre allegedly shoots truck driver

Dimapur, Jan. 30 (EMN): A village in Wokha district had served an ultimatum demanding the arrest of a person alleged to be a cadre of the armed organisation NSCN (IM), who allegedly shot a truck driver in the ‘mouth,’ on January 27 at Doyang in Wokha district. This is not the first time the cadre has subjected the villagers to such atrocities, the village has stated.

Yikhum village’s authorities issued a statement to the media on Thursday expressing anger and demanding action. The village council added a copy of a letter to the Lotha Hoho too. Another letter addressed to the “kilo secretary” of the NSCN (IM) demanding removal of the individual, one Mhabemo Mozhui of Chudi village, from the group’s ‘service.’

If any member of the village besides the victims is harmed in any way, the village warned that it will be considered “war” against Yikhum village.    

The statement read: ‘The Yikhum Village Council on behalf of the public of Yikhum strongly condemns the 27th January 2020 incident around 9:30 pm at Doyang, Wokha: The offender, Mhabemo Mozhui of Chudi village, had attempted to murder an innocent truck driver and his friend, namely Nyanbemo Kithan and Wochothung Odyuo, while unloading some goods at Doyang on route to Wokha.’

The council said that the victims earned their livelihood by plying the truck as driver and co-driver, in that order. The council stated that the offender attempted to kill the victims without any provocation. The statement alleged that the offender Mhabemo Mozhui pulled out a pistol and fired at the driver, Nyanbemo Kithan but the bullet hit his friend in the mouth instead, and the victim who is now undergoing medical treatment.

The village council took note that Mozhui and his ‘comrades’ went so far as to chase the victims who fortunately managed to escape by hiding in the brush below the road.

This ugly attempt is not the first instance but one among many such acts during which the culprit in question had ‘attempted to life and manhandled’ many innocent law-abiding citizens of Yikhum village without any cause, the council stated.

Considering the seriousness of the case, the Yikhum village council convened an emergency general public meeting on January 28 and took a number of resolutions, the statement informed.

First, the village has demanded an FIR be immediately lodged with the police to arrest the alleged perpetrators within 48 hours with effect from the time and date the complaint is lodged. The government shall bear the medical expenses of the victims, the resolution stated.

In the event of failure to nab the culprits during the stipulated time, the case shall pursued by the people of Yikhum and “therefore, which turns of events may not be predicted.”

The authorities are asked to arrest the culprits ‘to avoid any counter reaction.’

‘The Yikhum Village Council also appeals to all groups and organisations not to entertain such criminal-minded person in their fold, for which the village council will not cooperate with any such group or organisation even in the future,’ the council stated.