Dimapur Police arrest two absconders in major highway assault, extortion case, exposing organised criminal network targeting vulnerable victims.
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DIMAPUR — In a major crackdown on a chilling highway crime racket, Dimapur Police have arrested two key absconders from Bengaluru in Karnataka, exposing a wider organised network behind abduction, assault and extortion cases.
The arrests follow a months-long investigation into a July 2024 incident in which a woman and her relative were allegedly waylaid along the four-lane highway near Old Showuba area in Niuland district.
According to police, the victims were forcibly intercepted in the early hours of July 22, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed location where they were wrongfully confined. The woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by multiple perpetrators, while both victims were physically assaulted and coerced into transferring money through digital platforms. Their belongings, including mobile phones, cash and gold ornaments, were also looted.
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The accused reportedly threatened to circulate compromising images to silence the victims.
Following the registration of an FIR at Women Police Station, Dimapur, on July 25, 2024, police launched an investigation that led to the identification of several suspects believed to be part of a premeditated and organised group involved in similar crimes.
During the course of the investigation, one accused linked to extortion transactions was arrested earlier, with stolen gold ornaments recovered from his possession. In a separate incident during pursuit, another suspect attempting to evade arrest met with an accident and later succumbed to injuries.
Acting on specific technical intelligence, investigators traced two of the main absconding accused to Bengaluru. A special team led by the Investigating Officer left Dimapur on March 28 and, in coordination with Bengaluru City Police, conducted a joint operation leading to their arrest from Ramanna Layout under Kothanuru Police Station.
The arrested accused have been identified as Vikekhe Yeptho (34) and Hesato Yeptho (28). Police said that both are also wanted in connection with similar offences registered at Chumoukedima Police Station, indicating a pattern of repeat offences across jurisdictions.
Appealing to the public, Dimapur Police urged anyone with information on similar incidents to come forward, assuring strict confidentiality of informants and victims.