Kohima: Two female passengers, including a minor, were allegedly tortured and assaulted by a group of four armed cadres, sources said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday when two female passengers along with other co-passengers of a Zunheboto-bound taxi from Dimapur via Satakha were reportedly assaulted by four men.
The vehicle was halted by the unidentified four at Aghilito village junction near Satakha town under Zunheboto district at around 0230 hrs Saturday, said the sources.
The cadres under the pretext of checking the vehicle verbally abused and physically tortured the driver and all the passengers including a woman missionary, a minor school girl, Zunheboto Church construction workers and others.
After hearing the news of the incident, Sumi frontal bodies- Sumi Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho and Sumi Kukami Hoho (Gaon Burhas) and others rushed to the victims’ residence and took detailed statement from them.
The driver in his statement disclosed that the four armed men searched the vehicle but no illegal items were recovered.
The gunmen later took him to the jungle, mercilessly beat him up with sticks and gun butts.
He was also subjected to irrational questioning and was accused of being a ‘bootlegger and a pimp.’
Sources said the female passengers were ordered to undress first and later, they were allegedly molested by the armed cadres, disclosed the women victims.
The female victims were then beaten up mercilessly accusing them of being prostitutes and sex workers.
Several vulgar questions were hurled at the female victims with arms pointed at them.
Some of the passengers shown their ID cards to the gunmen, but they never stopped the assault and rather resorted to blank fire, warning them of dire consequences if their orders were not heeded.
The organisation vehemently condemned the inhuman, vulgar and barbaric act of the gunmen under the guise of national workers.
The organisations have vowed to capture those accused and award befitting punishment.
‘Any individual or organisation found sheltering those criminals will face dire consequences’ cautioned the apex bodies.
After a joint inquiry, the organisation had confirmed that the four gunmen suspected to be belonged to NSCN (I-M) setup. However, the identity of the armed cadres could not be ascertained, sources added. (UNI)
