Man found dead at Kohima bypass road construction site

KOHIMA — A man was found dead in mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning at the under-construction two-lane Kohima bypass road, below the helipad at Lerie colony.

According to K Vekato Chishi, SDPO (South), Kohima Police, the deceased was found with a gunshot wound. Police received information about the case at around 7 am.

The identity of the man is yet to be established, though preliminary reports suggest he belonged to the Lotha community.

A bag was found with the body but contained no items. A mobile phone, a country-made pistol, an empty case and a magazine were recovered in his possession.

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The officer said that the exact cause and time of death would be determined after a post-mortem examination.

The body was first discovered by Diethovi Chase, a staff member of contractor Pele Khezhie, whose team is working on the road construction. While inspecting a culvert, Chase found the body at around 6.23 am.

He immediately informed his employer’s wife after spotting arms and a mobile phone on the deceased. The matter was then reported to South Police Station, Kohima, which dispatched a team to the site.

In a gesture of respect, Khezhie handed over an Angami shawl to cover the body, in keeping with Angami tradition.

Meanwhile, investigations were delayed as Kohima lacks a forensic investigation team. Police had to wait for a team from Dimapur, which has been a recurring issue in past cases.

Though Kohima Police reached the site by around 7 am, the forensic team arrived only at 1.50 pm to carry out the required examination.