The three undertrial prisoners who escaped from the District Jail, Mokokchung, early morning on October 30 were apprehended on October 31 at 4 to 4:30 p.m. by the Chungtia Security force (Chungtia Duty Zünga group) at the Milak riverside of Chungtia Village.

Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Assamwati, Chairman of Chungtia Village Council, informed that the fugitives were caught between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. while approaching from the Khensa Village side. The specific location where they were intercepted is known as Metongmen area, a paddy field zone under Chungtia jurisdiction.

The chairman informed that earlier in the morning, following information from the Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, and Police Station-II, the Chungtia Village Council had alerted villagers to remain vigilant. Subsequently, the village guard duty group, locally called “Metkar,” was dispatched to conduct a search operation around the village perimeter.

During the operation, the duty group spotted the three escapees moving along the Milak riverside. Coincidentally, the SDPO Mokokchung and his team were also in the vicinity, and the village group immediately handed over the apprehended individuals to the police.

Imtiyanger Kichu, President of the Chungtia Security Force (Chungtia Duty Zünga), which functions under the Chungtia Village Council, informed Nagaland Tribune that they were alerted by the Village Council Chairman at around 7 a.m. regarding the escapees. He immediately mobilized his members, and a team of around 20 volunteers set out for the search operation along the Milak riverside, dividing themselves into four to five groups to cover different directions.

Kichu shared that after an initial round of searching, no signs of the escapees were found, so the teams paused briefly to rest. Around 2 p.m., a farmer returning home from his field informed them that he had encountered the escapees at the Wazakiyong area, where they had asked him for food. Acting on this information, the Duty Zünga members resumed their search and moved towards the Milak riverside, spreading out across different points.

He said that at around 4:30 p.m., six members stationed at Metongmen area spotted the three escapees coming down along the riverside. The team immediately apprehended them and informed the police, who soon arrived at the location. The escapees were then handed over to the police team at the spot.

Chairman of Khensa Village Council, I Alemmeren Longchar, speaking to Nagaland Tribune, said that upon receiving information about the jailbreak and the police alert, the Village Council immediately activated its Pangjung team.

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He explained that the ‘Pangjung’ are the armies under the Khensa Village Council responsible for security and vigilance during emergencies. Six members from the group were deployed to the Milak riverside area near the Church Farm, which they used as the centre point of their search operation. The area, he noted, aligns with the Chungtia side’s paddy field zone, where the escapees were later apprehended.

Longchar also shared that police personnel in civilian dress joined them in the search. He maintained constant communication with the Chairman of Chungtia Village Council, agreeing that whichever team located the escapees first would notify the other to withdraw. When the Chungtia Village Council informed that the escapees had been caught, the Khensa Pangjung members immediately withdrew and returned to the village.

SP Mokokchung lauds villages for prompt response and cooperation in nabbing the fugitives

Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, SP Mokokchung, Vusupreo Kezo, expressed appreciation to the Chungtia Village Council for their cooperation with the police in recapturing the escaped undertrial prisoners.

“Special thanks to the Chungtia Village Council for coordinating with the police. Our team, led by the SDPO, was also present, but full credit goes to the youths of Chungtia Village for their extra efforts in helping us nab the escapees,” he stated. He also extended special thanks to the Khensa Village Council as well for their prompt cooperation and deployment of volunteers to assist in the search operations.

Kezo further informed that earlier in the morning, the police had sought assistance from the Village Councils of Khensa and Chungtia.

Regarding police deployment, the SP said around 30 personnel, led by the SDPO and OC PS-II, were dispatched to various areas covering Khensa, Chungtia, and Khar villages, since these regions share close borders.

He added that more details will be provided later and confirmed that the escaped individuals have been booked for fleeing police custody.

Aliba Village and Khar village also extended its assistance in the search operation, and SP Mokokchung, Vusupreo Kezo, acknowledged and appreciated their cooperation and support in the joint effort.