Nagaland Home Minister arrested
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

Kohima, February 18 2013 : Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen was arrested today for allegedly transporting Rs 1.10 crore in cash, arms and ammunition and liquor in a vehicle in Wokha district in the poll-bound state, official sources said.

SP, Wokha, Lima Sunep said Imchen, who was earlier detained, was put under arrest this evening.

Earlier, Assam Rifles personnel, acting on specific information, set up a mobile vehicle check-post on the highway near Longsa village at 6:00 am as he was driving to his constituency, Koridang, in Mokokchung district from Kohima.

Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of Wokha district R Vyasan said security personnel searched the vehicle and seized Rs 1.10 crore in cash, two .303 rifles with 100 rounds of ammunition, five 7.65 mm pistol with 80 rounds of ammunition and a case of liquor bottles.

Assam Rifles personnel after the seizure informed the Election Commission surveillance team, the district administration and the police, he said.

Official sources said the statement of the Home Minister, who is the Naga People's Front candidate from Koridang seat and in-charge of the NPF campaign committee of Mokokchung district, was recorded.

Earlier, on June 30, 2010, Imchen was detained at Kathmandu airport for carrying Indian currency in denominations of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500, which are banned in Nepal.

On February 16, an Election Commission surveillance team seized Rs one crore cash from a helicopter allegedly being used by a candidate of the Nagaland Peoples Front.

A team of EC-appointed observers seized the cash from a chopper, which was allegedly hired to ferry Nyemli Phom, who is contesting the February 23 Assembly polls from a constituency in Longleng district.

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