The Officer-in-Charge, Longtho Police Station and his team have arrested two habitual cattle thieves for stealing four cows from a resident of Longtho, Mokokchung.

The Addl. SP and PRO of Mokokchung Police, informed that on 28th July 2024, the Longtho PS received a complaint about missing cows in the wee hours and subsequently, a case was registered. During investigation, it was revealed that a gang of cattle thieves had stolen the four cattles at Longtho and another one at Moayimti Village and transported them to Assam in a pick-up truck.

Basing on the description of the vehicle given by the witnesses and the traces left at the crime scene the vehicle used in the commission of the crime was identified and seized, the Police said. Two persons, identified as Hasim Ali and Zakir Ali, both from Balijan Natun Mati, Mariani, Assam, were arrested on 29th July 2024 at Tsutapela Check Gate.

The PRO also informed that during investigation at Longtho PS, the accused revealed that five of them were involved in the crime namely Alfred and Rinku, owner of the vehicle, both residents of Balijan Nutan Mati, Mariani Assam along with an unknown person had stolen the cattle and disposed them at Amguri Char Ali, Assam.

A team led by OC, Longtho PS went to Maraini and raided the houses of the other co-accused persons but they were found absconding and evading arrest, it said.

Mokokchung Police stated that it is making efforts to arrest the absconders involved in the crime and that police stations have been instructed to remain highly vigilant to prevent such crimes and firmly deal with those criminals as per the law.

Further, the SP, Mokokchung, has also lauded the OC Longtho PS and his team for making timely arrest of those cattle thieves who are creating havoc in the border areas.