Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 16 (EMN): It has emerged that the persons suspected of killing police inspector Neiphretou Metsei-o halted at Lower Phaibung, a Poumai village in Senapati district of Manipur, on September 7 night before heading to an unknown location. This helped the Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) team, which is investigating the case, find out the identity of the suspects.
Lower Phaibung village’s authority has said in a statement that the two suspects -- Yuiriengam Shimray and Ringthingchon -- stayed in the village for a night, but came to know of the missing-person case only a week after they left. It has condemned the “cold-blooded murder” of the police officer and extended help in nabbing the accused.
The dead body of police inspector Neiphretuo Metsie-o, who went missing on September 7, was found in a jungle between Zuketsa and Zapami in Phek district on September 15, in a decomposed state. It is reported that one of the suspects, Ringthingchon, a woman, is in the custody of the Ukhrul district women police cell while the main suspect Yuiriengam is still absconding.
“While sharing our grief and sorrow with the deceased family, relatives, friends, well wishers and the Angami tribe in general, it may be noted that the criminals stopped at our village en route to Ukhrul district on the night of 7th Sept in a white Mahindra Scorpio due to a punctured tyre and refuelling at a BIPL work camp,” said a statement from the village’s authority.
“The news of the missing report came to us only on 14th Sept 2018. And thus the information communicated between our youths and the search team ultimately led to the identification of the culprits,” it added.
The village’s authority condemned the crime and pledged “maximum cooperation in solving the case.” “We are confident that the law enforcement authorities will soon arrest the culprits and deliver a befitting punishment as per the law of the land at the earliest,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Poumai Naga civil organisations-- Poumai Naga Union (apex body), Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (Poumai Naga Students’ Union), and Poumai Naga Naotumai Me (Poumai Naga Women’s Union) -- have condemned the killing of Neiphretuo Metsie-o, stating that “such an inhuman act has no place in our peace-loving society.”
“The Poumai Naga Society share the pain and grief felt by the bereaved family due to the untimely loss of a young dynamic officer, who was also a father and a husband, and a son. We assure those who are striving to bring justice for our departed brother that we shall extend our utmost help and co-operation to nab the culprits and award them a befitting punishment,” a statement from the Poumai apex bodies said.
“We extend out heart condolences and pray that the departed soul find solace in the bosom of our Almighty God. May his soul rest in peace,” it added.
