Wokha Police have arrested one individual in connection with theft of nuts and bolts of a transmission circuit tower of 132 KV Wokha – Sanis Transmission line between Yikhum and Riphyim village that led to its collapse on 27th April 2024.
K. Soriso, NPS, Additional Superintendent of Police and Public Relation Officer, Wokha, has informed through a press release that an accused named Likho Kithan (32) of Yikhum village and presently residing at Tsumang “A” Colony was arrested on 30th April 2024 and booked under U/S 379/336 IPC R/W U/S 3 Damage to Public Act R/W U/S 136 Electrical Act.
The Addl. SP said that earlier on 28th April 2024, a written complaint was received from Er. Namheu Khate Zeliang, Executive Engineer of transmission Division Kohima concerning the collapse of 1(one) 132 KV single circuit tower (Lat -26.199934° and Long -94.263384°) of 132 KV Wokha – Sanis Transmission line between Yikhum and Riphyim village during the early hour of 27th April 2024.
Immediately, a team was constituted under Sangthing Khiam, NPS SDPO Wokha and the case duly endorsed to UBI Ginlunlal Tungnung O/C PS Wokha as I/O of the case, he informed. the initial investigation revealed that nuts and bolts of the tower members were missing, suspected stolen by unknown miscreants, that led to the structural collapse of the tower
Though it was a blind case, the team painstakingly jotted down all the suspects and scrap dealers in the surrounding areas and they were diligently scrutinized, the press release stated. With a technical support and assistance from the Cyber Crime Cell DEF Wokha, the team then narrowed down on two suspects and launch a swift and stealthy operation leading to a break through and apprehension of the main accused, it added.
Through the press release, Wokha Police assured the public that every effort was being made to arrest all those connected with the case so as to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
