Kohima police have arrested two NSCN (K) cadres while one accomplice managed to escape who were allegedly involved in kidnapping of Manipur bound trucks on January 23 at around 9:45 PM from Peducah (New Bridge).
The two persons were arrested by a joint team of Mobile Unit of DEF Kohima along with Sechu (Zubza) Police Station personnel during conduct of surveillance duty at NH-29 from Peducha check gate to Jotsoma bye-pass.
The surveillance was conducted following reports that unknown abductors had already kidnapped 6 drivers) namely L Ramesh Meitie (Driver of vehicle B/R No MN 01/- 8584, Jahid Ali (Driver of NL 07/A-5389); Jimus Khan (Driver of vehicle B/R No MN 01/-5796); and Rafi Uddin (Driver of vehicle No MN 01/8949) including two unidentified drivers and 5 handymen namely Sharma (Handyman of vehicle No MN/01-5796) and Hussian Ali (Handyman of vehicle No NL 07/A- 5389) and 3 unidentified handyman between January 5-22.
The police team intercepted one white colour Maruti Gypsy with three occupants near Peducha while they forcibly stopped a truck bearing Registration No. NL07 5389 after overtaking the truck.
Police personnel on duty arrested two persons while one managed to escape under the cover of darkness. It was ascertained that the three miscreants belonged to underground group of NSCN-K faction. The two arrested persons were identified as ‘SS 2nd Lieutenant’ John Sema (28), son of Ahoto of Aluchoba village in Zunheboto and presently residing in Jail Colony, Kohima, and ‘SS Corporal’ Habwang Konyak (20), son of Angwan Konyak of Langmeing village, Aboi, and presently residing in Jail Colony, Kohima. The accomplice who managed to escape was identified as ‘SS Lieutenant’ Panmi Kuki of NSCN-K.
One Rambo knife, two mobile phones including the Maruti Gypsy were seized from the possession of the two arrested persons.
It was also ascertained that on January 5, two truck drivers namely Rafi Uddin, son of Fariz Ali; Md. Amir Khan, son of Md. Abdul Salam; and one handyman Hussain Ali, son of Ismail Ali were abducted by the same group and a ransom of Rs 30,00,000 was demanded for their safe release. It was revealed that they were released after paying a ransom of Rs 10,00,000 was paid on January 10 after brief negotiations between NSCN-K group and the vehicle owner. Both the vehicles were found abandoned at different locations at Sechu (Zubza) area.
Further, on January 15 night two truck drivers and two handymen who were reportedly kidnapped/abducted was also ascertained to be the handiwork of the same group for which a ransom of Rs 20,00,000 was demanded from the truck owners for the safe release of the truck drivers and handymen. However, they were released on January 21 after the truck owners paid a ransom of Rs 3,00,000.
Police said the same group again kidnapped one driver namely Jalid Ali, son of Ismail Ali and one) handyman on January 22 for a ransom of Rs 15,00,000. It said the driver is still under the captivity of the said underground group due to non-payment of ransom.
The two arrested persons disclosed that they were entrusted by their kilonser namely Starson Anal who is reportedly operating from Manipur to do the job of abducting the Manipur bound truck drivers for ransoms. They disclosed that after abducting the truck drivers they usually proceed to their base camp located at Surumi under Zunheboto district via Tseisema – 10th Mile Zhadima Junction- Tsemenyu- Pughoboto-Satakha-Surumi and further into the deep jungles.
The temporary make-shift camp is reportedly functioning under the command of one SS Lieut Jonathan Anal who is assisted by around 7 cadres of NSCN-K. They commit the crimes by using one white colour Maruti Gypsy (soft-top) bearing Registration No. NL-01H 5771 with Chassis No. MA5EGF41S00 264667 and Engine No.G13BBN553560 provided by kilonser Starson.
Police stated that some truck drivers are reportedly kept under their captivity at the said make-shift camp at Surumi due to non-payment of ransom.
A criminal case vide Sechu (Zubza) PS case No. 0005/2015 U/S 364 “A” IPC read with section 7 NSR and IT Act has been registered against the arrested persons and absconders. The duo has been remanded into police custody for conducting thorough investigation.
Friday, February 20, 2026