As a high level Police team undertakes stock verification of arms and ammunition at the Zunheboto kote, when over 21 Self Loading Rifles, Sten Carbines, Rifles and huge cache of ammunition were reported missing last week of June, the principal accused identified by Police as S.I._Kughai Zhimomi, jumped bail on Wednesday after fleeing from Zunheboto.

Sources said Zunheboto Police took the driver who drove Kughai for questioning. The absconding SI reportedly obtained interim bail from the DC Zunheboto sometime during the last week of June.

As per latest reports, it was learnt that the quantity of weapons missing in Zunheboto armory and suspected to have been sold off, has shot up to some 93 which included 21 SLRs including Sten carbines and rifles. It was also reported that nearly one lakh numbers of assorted ammunition were also missing from the armory.

The matter was highlighted after two SLRs which were found with a dead and injured cadre of one faction near Zhekiye village in Zunheboto district, were traced to the police. Police sources believe that theft of arms and ammunition from Police armory could be widespread and this had led DGP to order a high level probe.

Earlier in Wokha the then SP S. Sejongmong Sangtam was put under suspension after discovery of alleged theft of arms and ammunition from the police armory.

On April 20 a similar case to light after Assam Rifles and Dimapur police raided the residence of one constable identified as Enyimi Chakesang from whose residence assorted ammunition were recovered.

Later on May 30 another policeman ABSI Sashitsungba Ao was arrested with one Medium Machine Gun (MMG) and assorted ammunition in Dimapur.