Wokha: Father dies after altercation with son; one arrested

WOKHA — A 53-year-old man died after an altercation with his son at Lakhuti village under Sanis Police Station in Wokha district on Friday evening. Police have arrested the 28-year-old son and registered a suo motu case.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Wokha, Biren Lotha, said Sanis Police Station received information about the incident at around 8.30 pm. The officer-in-charge rushed to the village and carried out the necessary legal formalities.

The deceased was identified as Nongothung Yanthan (53), while the arrested man is his son, Yanpothung Yanthan (28), who remains in police custody.

According to the preliminary investigation, the incident occurred at around 7 pm following a family dispute. The father, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, reportedly chased a family member with a machete. Police said the son intervened to disarm him, during which a scuffle ensued and the father fell to the ground.

Family members initially believed he would regain consciousness but, after about 10 to 15 minutes, found him unresponsive with a head injury and informed the police.

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Following the completion of legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family.

Lotha said a suo motu case has been registered and the investigation is underway. Based on the preliminary findings, police suspect the case may amount to culpable homicide, though the exact circumstances and appropriate legal provisions will be determined as the investigation progresses.

A village official corroborated that the death occurred during a scuffle between the father and son over a personal matter. According to the official, the father fell after being pushed and struck his head on a rock, sustaining a fatal injury. The son did not flee and remained at the house until police arrived and took him into custody.

The final rites of the deceased were conducted on Saturday.