October 16: The Nagaland Police have registered an FIR against a forest official from the Wildlife Division in Dimapur and others following allegations that they demanded INR 1 lakh from Vezhoto Hesuh for his release from detention.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the Director General of Police, the State Crime Police Station (SCPS), Nagaland, registered the FIR following a written complaint alleging that the money was demanded without any written notice, receipt, challan or other lawful document to justify the demand.
Police stated that a preliminary enquiry was conducted by Dimapur Police, during which statements were recorded and an audio recording was recovered. Based on the findings, a case was subsequently registered at the State Crime Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The police have sought further investigation, including forensic examination of the audio recording, to establish the facts. The allegations remain under investigation.The development comes amid earlier controversy surrounding Hesuh’s detention in connection with wildlife-related social media posts. In September, the People’s Youth Organisation (PYO) had raised concerns over his detention and alleged demand for INR 1 lakh for his release, calling for an impartial inquiry.
The case had also drawn attention over the seizure of a Great Barbet, a protected bird, which was subsequently returned and released at Porbami Reserved Forest, according to earlier reports.The matter had prompted wider public discussion over wildlife protection, enforcement procedures and the handling of the case.
The latest FIR marks a formal step towards investigating the alleged demand, although no conclusion has yet been reached regarding the allegations against the individuals concerned.Nagaland Police have stated that further investigation is underway to establish the facts.
