8 Naga militants nabbed, 24,000 liquor bottles seized
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, December 06 2013 : Altogether eight Naga militants have been arrested and also seized over twenty four thousand bottles of liquor in separate incidents in Nagaland in the past few days.

According to the PRO of Inspector General-Assam Rifles (IGAR-North) based in Kohima, troops of 37 Assam Rifles intercepted a truck bearing registration number NL-01A-7928 transporting 24,720 bottles of 'illegal' liquor from Dimapur to Kohima.

Four miscreants including the truck driver were apprehended in the act.

After taking custody of the truck, it was taken to Mediziphema Police Station near Dimapur for further handing over to the Excise Department.

Enroute, one person Kikheto Sema forcibly stopped the truck, the PRO-IGAR said.

On realising that the occupants of the truck were Assam Rifles personnel, he tried to flee but was soon apprehended.

The individual was found to be in possession of a 7.62 mm pistol with six live rounds.

He immediately confessed that he had prior intimation of transhipment of liquor and had stopped the truck with the aim of extorting money from the truck driver.

The individual claimed to be a cadre of NSCN-Khole-Kitovi (NSCN-KK) of the rank of lieutenant.

The entire lot of liquor, four miscreants transporting the same and the suspected NSCN (KK) cadre were taken to the police station of Mediziphema.

The seized liquor was later handed over to Inspector of Excise Department, Dimapur and the culprits were handed over to police station, Mediziphema, the Assam Rifles source said.

In another incident, based on information about presence of armed cadres of a proscribed underground group in general area Hotothy of Naginimora, Nagaland, troops of Assam Rifles launched a swift operation and apprehended two NSCN (IM) cadres identified as one Veresing Tangkhul,(17) and Khiungmong Tikhir (26) along with two AK 56 rifles, one MQ Rifle, seven magazines of AK 56 rifles and 208 live rounds.

These cadres were violating the cease fire and were present in the village in uniform with dangerous weapons.

As per the villagers these cadres were disturbing peace in the area and were indulging in anti social activities by threatening locals.

Assam Rifles troops, have been actively involved in ensuring peace in these far flung and remote areas.

The cadres along with recovered arms and ammunition have been handed over to the Naginimora Police Station, the PRO of IGAR said.

In yet another incident, the PRO-IGAR said a large number of complaints were received by Assam Rifles regarding armed cadres carrying out extortion and intimidating locals in Longleng, Nagaland.

A specific information was received by 31 Assam Rifles on regarding movement of armed cadres in Tamlu, Longleng.

A swift action by Assam Rifles troops resulted in apprehension of three NSCN (KK) cadres with warlike stores.

The Assam Rifles source added that the apprehended cadres have been identified as Imsu chuba of Akhoia village, Mongchem of Yachem village and Lima Singba of Longsa village.

The cadres have been handed over to Longleng police.

The apprehension has again sent a message to cadres involving in illegal extortion activities and disrupting peace in the area, it stated.

Again, on November 28, troops of 37 Assam Rifles apprehended two NSCN (KK) cadres and one over ground worker of NSCN (KK) in an operation in the vicinity of Chumukedima, Dimapur along NH-29 .

The operation was launched by the Assam Rifles based on information regarding extortion in National Highway-29 .

According to the PRO-IGAR, on apprehension of the cadres it was learnt that these cadres had forcibly taken away three Maruti cars from Manipuri drivers and were negotiating for release of these cars against ransom of 1 lakh.

The cadres were apprehended red handed in the evening of November 28 the three Maruti cars were recovered in the operation.

The apprehended cadres have been identified as 'captain' Joseph Awomi, s/o K Awomi of Kiyekhu village, Zunheboto district and 'lieutenant' Victor Aye, s/o Akhoh Aye of Hozheke village, Dimapur while the over ground worker has been identified as Agi Zhimo, s/o Victor Zhimo of Tukunasa village, Zunheboto district (Nagaland) and was being utilized by NSCN (KK) cadres for negotiation.

The apprehended NSCN (KK) cadres also revealed that they were carrying out extortion on the direction of Lt Col Atosho Sema who is the Highway Commander of NSCN (KK), the PRO-IGAR said.

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