5 officials suspended, 12 terminated from service
Consequent upon the death of one under trial prisoner (UTP) at Wokha sub-jail, who later succumbed to his injuries on December 26, one assistant jailor, one head warder and three regular warders have been suspended while 12 temporary ordinary grade (TOG) warders have been terminated from their jobs.
Highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post that 17 persons were involved in the incident, adding a case had been registered and inquiry initiated into it.
In an order issued on December 27, IGP prisons L. Thungdemo Lotha sought the inquiry report within 15 days. DG Prisons, Toshitsungba Aier appointed superintendent of Zunheboto jail, K Kushito Awomi as inquiry officer and jailor of Peren district jail Imlinungba as presenting officer to probe the entire matter and ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of Yanbemo Mozhui in judicial custody.
In another order issued on December 28, the asst jailor- Mhademo, head warder- Yanjamo Odyuo and warders- Thepukho Puchury, Orenthung Ezung and Rebonthung Kithan were placed under suspension with immediate effect.
Initial inquiry revealed that the incident reportedly took place after a jail-break incident on December 23. One prisoner, who escaped on December 23 was later apprehended on December 25. Upon interrogation, it was alleged by the prisoner the involvement of Yanbemo in devising the plan to escape.
This reportedly infuriated the staff, who assaulted him (Yanbemo) brutally, following which he succumbed to his injuries.
Yanbemo was arrested in connection with an assault on security guards at a bank in Bhandari town.