Chümoukedima, January 25: Security forces and Nagaland Police carried out a second raid at the Ceasefire Supervisory Board Office of the NSCN-K (Khango) group at Thilixu, Block-5 in Chümoukedima, as investigations intensified into the January 19 abduction of local businessman Kiyeto Zhimomi.
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| Cadres of NSCN-K (Khango) during a police raid at their office |
The fresh operation, led by senior police officers including the ADCP and ACP, was conducted in the presence of district administration officials and representatives of the Thilixu Village Council. Sources said the second raid was aimed at seizing incriminating materials linked to the abduction case for forensic examination. The first raid had been carried out on January 22, beginning around 6 pm and lasting until midnight.
During Saturday’s operation, security personnel were seen exiting the premises with electronic equipment, including two computer sets comprising CPUs, monitors, and keyboards. Police sources indicated that the seized items would be examined for digital evidence connected to the abduction.
Meanwhile, developments in the case continued on multiple fronts. On Thursday, three cadres of the NSCN-K (Khango) group - Lovito Yeptho, Viniho Kiho, and Hukhevi Yeptho - were produced before the Nagaland Police. On Friday, another key breakthrough came when H. Kiba, one of the main accused in the abduction, surrendered at Boupai Police Station. He had earlier been forcibly discharged from his duties within the outfit. With his surrender, a total of four accused are now in police custody, while three others remain absconding.
Village authorities also weighed in on the unfolding situation. Speaking off-camera, representatives of the Thilixu Village Council said that while a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the ceasefire office had been issued many years ago, the council now stands with the Western Sumi frontal organisations in their demands. The council members expressed concern that the presence of the ceasefire office in a residential area has created fear among villagers, including families, children, and elderly residents, and suggested that relocation of the office would be a better option in the interest of public safety.
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The Western Sumi Hoho and other frontal organisations have earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the NSCN -K (Khango) group, demanding a public apology, the handing over of all accused, and relocation of the ceasefire office. While the outfit has issued an apology and handed over some cadres, it remains unclear whether the civil society groups are satisfied with the steps taken so far.
Police officials have maintained that investigations are ongoing and that more names may surface as the probe progresses. The Director General of Police had earlier stated that the case could widen based on evidence collected during investigation.
The January 19 incident, in which Kiyeto Zhimomi was allegedly abducted from near his residence in Chümoukedima, has sparked widespread public outrage and heightened security measures in the area. Authorities said further updates would be shared as the investigation advances.
