Abduction or family feud? Dimapur Police investigate counter claims 

DIMAPUR — Dimapur Police are conducting a preliminary inquiry into a case involving an alleged abduction/detention, family dispute, and conflicting accounts of police procedure.

The case came to light after Mlato Shikhu, a government doctor, held a press conference on Monday, alleging he that was abducted/detained by a Naga political group on October 29 and that police had failed to properly address the situation.

Shikhu claimed that he was lured to the group’s camp under the pretense of his son’s detention, a ruse he believes was orchestrated by his family. He also claimed that when his wife/partner, Chelsea Kikon, attempted to file an FIR with Dimapur Police on October 29 regarding his alleged abduction, she was instead arrested and detained at Women Police Station for 24 hours “without charges filed or any arrest warrant.”

She was subsequently informed that her arrest was based on a prior FIR filed against her by Shikhu’s children from his previous marriage. He further claimed that police had refused to register Kikon’s counter FIR against his children.

Following his release from the camp on October 30, Shikhu, accompanied by his lawyers, attempted to give his statement at the West Police Station regarding his alleged kidnapping. He claimed that the police initially resisted but eventually recorded his statement, though they refused to allow him to file his own FIR.

However, Dimapur Commissioner of Police Kevithuto Sophie has refuted these allegations of police inaction. He confirmed that the police had received FIRs from both Shikhu and his children from a previous marriage, the latter being the basis of Kikon’s arrest.

Sophie stated that Kikon was detained due to an existing FIR against her, not because of her attempt to report Shikhu’s alleged abduction. He emphasised that both complaints have been formally recorded and a preliminary inquiry is in progress.

The backdrop to this incident appears to be a family dispute stemming from Shikhu’s marriage to Kikon, which is currently under a stay order from the Family Court due to procedural issues. Shikhu’s family reportedly opposes the marriage.

Shikhu has filed a separate FIR expressing concern for his, Kikon’s, and her son’s safety, naming his family members as potential threats.