Woman found murdered in Chümoukedima district; police investigation underway

Published on Apr 8, 2025

A prayer service was held at District Hospital Dimapur, on Monday before the victim’s body was taken to Mhaikam village for burial. (EM Images)
DIMAPUR — A woman from Mhaikam village in Peren district was found brutally murdered near the Pimla village area in Chümoukedima on the evening of April 7, prompting widespread public outrage and calls for swift justice.
According to police sources, the victim—a vegetable vendor and mother of a 10-year-old boy—was found near a fishery pond in a partially clothed state, with fatal injuries to her neck. A machete, believed to be the weapon used in the crime, was recovered from the pond.
Her body was discovered around 7:10 pm on April 7 by villagers from her hometown, who had begun searching after she failed to return home.
A post-mortem examination was conducted at the District Hospital Dimapur on April 8. Authorities have stated that the findings will help establish the exact cause of death and determine whether there is evidence of sexual assault, as has been alleged.
Speaking to the media, Commissioner of Police Kevithuto Sophie confirmed the recovery of the murder weapon and said investigations are ongoing.
Describing the case as “rare in nature” for the state and assured the public that the investigation is being conducted with utmost urgency. As of this report, no arrests have been made.

The incident has drawn strong reactions from civil society organisations. Representatives from the Zeliang People Organisation Dimapur, Zeliang Women Organisation Dimapur, Tenyimi Union Dimapur, Tenyimi Women Organisation, Tenyimi Youth Organisation, and the Mhaikam Village Council met with the Commissioner of Police on Tuesday to demand that the perpetrator be apprehended within two days.

A brief programme was held at the District Hospital Dimapur before the victim’s body was taken back to Mhaikam village for burial. Community leaders, including the presidents of the Zeliang People Organisation Dimapur and Tenyimi Union Dimapur, addressed the gathering, urging authorities to deliver swift justice and warning against granting bail to the accused once arrested.
A representative from the Mhaikam Village Council described April 7 as a “deeply shocking day” for the village and spoke of the victim as a kind and good-hearted individual. He appealed the authorities to arrest the culprit at the earliest.
Leaders from other organisations, including the Zeliang Women Organisation, Tenyimi Women Organisation, Tenyimi Youth Organisation, and Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation, also delivered remarks condemning the incident.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang expressed his outrage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Disturbed and horrified by the suspected rape and murder of a young mother hailing from Mhaikam Village. This heinous crime is unforgivable and perpetrators should be found and justice delivered. No woman should fear for her life and there is no place for such brutal acts in any civilised society. We stand with her family during this time of grief,” he wrote.