4 held for extorting, vandalising truck on NH-37

Our Correspondent

NONEY, Nov 16 : Noney police have arrested four individuals in connection with extortion and vandalism of a vehicle on National Highway-37 at Noney Part-V during the intervening night of November 12 and 13.

The accused have been identified as Colin Kamei s/o Aching Kamei; Lungthuan Gangmei s/o Ganguanglung Gangmei; Niamthaipou Kamei s/o Aching Kamei and Ph Pouduangam s/o Ph Samuel. All four of them are residents of Noney.

According to police, the four men were apprehended following a coordinated search operation launched on November 13 after information about the incident was made public.

Upon interrogation, all four allegedly confessed to their involvement, and police said that the extorted money as well as compensation for the vehicle damage were recovered.

Police stated that several organizations assisted in the manhunt that led to the arrests including NH-37 Commercial Transport Drivers’ Welfare Association, Rongmei Naga Youth Organization, Manipur and Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization.

Police urged the public to dismiss unverified rumors linking the incident to any militant or underground groups, emphasizing that the accused are civilians with no organizational affiliations.

Preliminary investigations indicated the suspects were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

In a parallel development, leaders of the NSCN (GPRN) Zeilad Region and the Noney area in-charge summoned the accused along with their parents for questioning.

The four men tendered apologies, reiterated their lack of ties to any outfit, and confirmed they did not invoke any group’s name during the extortion.

A formal deed of undertaking, drafted by NSCN (GPRN), was signed by the accused in the presence of their guardians and community leaders, with the individuals pledging not to repeat such acts in the future.

Further investigation is underway.