In a horrible incident on Tuesday night, two security personnel were shot dead by another security personnel using a service rifle in Lamhainamdi village.

An official report from the Sub-Divisional Police Officer stated that the incident took place around 8:45pm near Old Church in the village.

It confirmed that Zaneise Yhoshu of MT Platoon Special Task Force (STF) was under the influence of alcohol when he fired 13 rounds from his Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle which resulted in the deaths of Kevisekho Khate of A/10 NAP (IR) and T Zewangba Yim of STF.

The official report said the accused had been arrested and taken to Jalukie PS where a liquor test proved that he was under the influence of alcohol.

It further said that Zaneise Yhoshu, the accused, too confessed to having consumed alcohol and that he had “resorted to firing of 13 rounds from Insas rifle at the provocation of his colleagues for teasing him by commenting as to how MT platoon jawan is holding a rifle and performing duty instead of driving a vehicle.”

Meanwhile, the weapon of offence, a government issued INSAS Rifle, along with 13 empty cases and 7 live rounds, has been seized.

The bodies of the deceased were brought to CHC Jalukie at around 10:30pm. The MO CHC Jalukie performed a medical examination before referring the case to District Hospital Dimapur for conducting post-mortem examination, the report added.

An FIR has been lodged at Jalukie Police Station jointly by Coy Commander A/10 NAP (IR) and STF section commander.

Three different security teams – 9th IR, 10 IR and STF – are reportedly stationed in the disputed area of Lamhainamdi to maintain law and order after two people died as a result of the bloody clash between two communities on 7 November 2022.