- DIMAPUR — The
Office of the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, has dismissed the claims made by
the NSCN-K (Niki) accusing the police of fake kidnapping charges and called
them "baseless" and a "blatant lie", describing them as a
deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create confusion.
- In a press note, Dimapur Police clarified that on March 24,
a complaint was received regarding the abduction of two individuals in the
early hours of March 23 from Raju Daba at Pherima. The individuals had been
transporting ginger from Manipur.
- It was reported that the kidnappers took the duo, along with
the vehicle (Eicher truck) bearing registration no. AS01PC 6016, to an
undisclosed location. They initially demanded a ransom of INR 30 lakh, which
was later reduced to INR 20 lakh and eventually negotiated down to INR 8 lakh.
Also read: Niki-led NSCN/GPRN clarifies on arrests
- Upon receiving the information, CCTV footage was retrieved
from Raju Daba, where it was confirmed that the kidnappers, numbering around
5-6, arrived in two Alto cars and one Maruti 800 and abducted the victims.
- The police swiftly acted, tracked down the kidnappers, and
arrested the four accused from Toluvi at 1 pm, along with the rescued victims.
Upon interrogation, the four kidnappers claimed that the victims were smuggling
drugs.
- Acting on the face value of the statement, efforts were made
to determine whether the victims were drug smugglers, as accused. However, no
such consignment (drugs) was found either in their possession or in the
vehicle.
- The place where the victims were held hostage was thoroughly
searched; however, no illegal substances or items were found. The accused were
also asked to reveal where the illegal items (drugs, as allegedly seized by
them) were kept, but they could not produce the drugs to support their
statement.
- Thus, it was ascertained that accusing the victims of being
drug smugglers to intimidate and threaten them for ransom was the modus
operandi of the kidnappers. During the arrest, one of the vehicles, a silver
Maruti 800 bearing registration no. AS23C 1010, which was used in the
commission of the crime, was also seized.
- The police maintained that, on many occasions, it has been
highlighted to all factions through the office of the Chairman CFMG/CFSB that
they should not take the law into their own hands. In any case where they come
across narcotics, they are required to hand them over to either the nearest
police station or to the PHQ, through CFMG/CFSB, under proper receipt and
following due procedures.
