No headway in murder incident of businessman at Khatkhati near Assam-Nagaland Border

Bokajan: Mystery shrouds the aggravated murder cum robbery at the residence of an established businessman who was shot dead by a gang of 6-7 armed robbers at Khatkhati along Assam-Nagaland border on June 23 midnight.

The assailants later decamped with cash and jewellery from his residence.

The Karbi Anglong police are yet to make any major breakthrough and have been caught off guard following the incident. The investigations have also not proceeded at an expected pace and have become a major source of embarrassment for the police department. This has also generated a feeling of insecurity particularly among the traders and business class of the area.

A fear psychosis has gripped the business community and they feel that their safety and security is at stake.

It may be mentioned that a Maruti Alto car suspected to have been used to execute the robbery was recovered by police in an abandoned state near Hatoka Mensing Tisso village under Dillai police station the following day of the incident. Police have also recovered 2 9MM ammo and an empty packet of hand gloves used in the robbery from the car. The assailants were reportedly wearing hand gloves at the time of the robbery.

Meanwhile, following the recovery of the unattended car, police have arrested two people who are, as of now, the major leads in the case. The arrested have been identified as Md. Azizul Islam, a resident of Balijan Khan Basti and Nitesh Thakur of Sewak Rio Colony, Dimapur. Azizul Islam is an apprentice mechanic while Nitesh is a vegetable vendor by profession. Nitesh is allegedly the owner of the recovered car while Azizul has failed to convince police about his whereabouts for two days of the robbery.

Speaking to The Sentinel Digital, Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Upadhaya said, "We are probing every possible theory in the case and a major breakthrough is expected soon. We are linking the evidence and trying to establish every possible motive of the murder. We have formed a Special Task Force and probing different angles including business rivalry, normal dacoity and family feud, etc."

On being prodded about the possible involvement of Nagaland based NSCN fractions in the shootout, the SP ruled out their involvement saying that these are established groups and would not indulge in this sort of petty robbery. "However, considering the fact that the gang was armed with AK 47 rifles, we are attempting to build a proper theory to establish the involvement of some professional cross-border shooter in the case. We are in close coordination with our Nagaland counterpart and a breakthrough is expected soon." The SP added.

Moolsingh Rathore was an established liquor businessman and a noted social worker of the locality. He was the owner of a bonded warehouse and a bottling plant here along Assam-Nagaland border. Establishments in the area have remained closed through the day as residents mourn the death of Rathore who was viciously killed in a suspected robbery attempt on June 23 last.

Also Read: Attempted Robbery near Assam Nagaland Border, Businessman shot dead