Kohima: Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen has resigned from the Council of Ministers following his arrest following the recovery of cash and weapons from his vehicle on Tuesday.
In a letter forwarded to the Chief Minister, made available to the press late Monday night, Imchen said he was tendering his resignation owning moral responsibility even though he has committed ‘no wrong’.
Imchen, in his resignation letter addressed to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, said, ‘There was an unfortunate incident on Monday in Wokha, where the Assam Rifles Flying Squad intercepted my motorcade while coming from Kohima, consequent upon which they have seized money amounting to Rs 1.10 crore, which was received from NPF Central Office for NPF party election purposes.
‘Besides, they have also recovered some arms and ammunition which I was totally unaware of. Under the given circumstances, I felt it imperative to tender my resignation from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, owning moral responsibility while holding public office, even though I have committed no wrong over the incident under the law,’ he added.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) Limasunep Jamir, Wokha, informed UNI over telephone that along with the Home Minister, four others including his son Senti, Personal Security Officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector M Yanthan, driver Abhimanyu Singh and domestic help Michael have been arrested.
They were booked in Wokha Police Station under various sections of IPC, Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act and the Representation of Peoples’ Act.
Imchen was reportedly heading for his home constituency Koridang in Mokokchung district from Kohima in the early hours Monday, when Assam Rifles personnel at a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) stopped his vehicle at around 0600 hours, near Longsa village on National Highway 2.
On checking the Home Minister’s vehicle, they recovered five 7.65 mm pistols with 80 rounds of ammunition, two 303 rifles with 100 rounds of ammunition, 11 bottles of liquor and cash amounting to Rs 1.10 crore, the SP said.
Following the recovery, the Assam Rifles personnel informed the Election Commission Surveillance Team, district administration, police and the Home Minister. His entourage were detained for interrogation.
Imchen and four others are reported to have been remanded to police custody and were produced in court on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the opposition Congress has sought disqualification of Imchen from contesting the assembly election for violating the model code of conduct.
The offence committed by Imchen is a very serious crime under Arms Act and the case should be investigated by the National Investigation Agency.
This is the second big cash seizure in poll-bound Nagaland.
On Saturday, election officials seized Rs.one crore in cash from NPF candidate H. Nyemli Phom after his helicopter landed at the Assam Rifles helipad in Longleng district.
Phom, who is seeking re-election from Tamlu constituency, later claimed that the money was given to him by the party and was part of NPF funds. (Agencies)