Arrested NSCN-IM cadres released on bail
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2020:
After police failed to produce any evidence against 5 NSCN (IM) cadres, who were arrested by 34 Assam Rifles from Paomata (under Tadubi PS) yesterday afternoon, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East (In-charge of CJM Senapati) granted them bail today afternoon.
The arrested NSCN-IM cadres, identified as self-styled lieutenant colonel V Joseph (45) s/o V Khangang of Seipet Ramlung Tang, Chingsou (Zingsui) Ukhrul district, self-styled lieutenant Th Robin (39) s/o Kaingamang of Oklong Khunou, Senapati, self-styled sergeant DR Luckson Phyazilikho (30) s/o Romesh of Phuba Khuman, Senapati district, self-styled sergeant Major Thotsang Ngaleknao (24) s/o Makanmi Ngaleknao of Mapum village, Ukhrul, and a self-styled private (who is a juvenile) were produced before the Court by a team of Senapati district police today along with a prayer for remanding them in judicial custody.
During the proceeding, the IO informed that the four NSCN-IM cadres were arrested by a team of 34 Assam Rifles yesterday and then handed over to Sekmai PS before being subsequently handed over to Tadubi PS.
The Major of 34 Assam Rifles, Maram Post, filed a written complaint before Sekmai PS stating that yesterday afternoon, during their routine vehicle check based on an input of movement of some cadres from Mao towards Ukhrul, a suspected Tata Sumo was intercepted by Assam Rifles Motor Vehicle Check Post at Paomata (Senapati) .
Upon checking, the passengers inside the vehicle gave contradicting answers and on further checking, it was ascertained that they were NSCN-IM cadres who were moving from NSCN-IM camp at Hebron towards Ukhrul.
They also did not have any documents permitting their movement.
They also admitted that they were NSCN-IM cadres and were moving to Ukhrul to supply and reinforce the organisation.
The AR personnel were able to seize a sum of Rs 2,88,610 likely to have been raised by the UG group through nefarious means and seven Aadhaar cards, some voter IDs, uniform/ clothes from them.
As such a case was registered at the police station, the IO said.
The arrested NSCN-IM cadres were interrogated but no incriminating articles were recovered from them and at the present stage of the investigation, no case or evidence can be made out against them, the IO explained, praying for remanding the four individuals into judicial custody till April 4 for further investigation.
After hearing the submission and going through the materials on record, the Court ordered all of the arrested NSCN-IM cadres to be released on bail after they furnish a PR bond of Rs 1 lakh each and a surety of the same amount.
On the other hand, a lightning bandh followed at Senapati and its surrounding areas after the deadline of 12 hours set by the District Frontal organisations including District Frontal organisations consisting of the Naga People's Organization, Senapati District Students Association and the Senapati District Women Association, following the arrest of 5 NSCN-IM cadres from Paomata, expired at noon today.
However, the bandh lasted for about only some hours as it was called off after the cadres were released from Sekmai PS, where they were received by Naga leaders representing UNC and ANSAM.
Normalcy returned in and around the district after 4.30 pm today.