Guwahati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three Nagaland government officials for their alleged involvement in large scale extortion and illegal tax collection on behalf of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) from various government agencies in the state.
The NIA on Thursday informed that it arrested three Nagaland government officials — Tulula Pongen, Joint Director/DDO of Nagaland’s Social Welfare Department, Alienba Pangjung Jamir, Joint Director/DDO, of Nagaland’s Land Resources Department and K Lashito Sheqi, Cashier of Department of Land Resources — in connection with the NIA case RC- 01/2016/NIA-GUW arising out of the alleged charges of large scale extortion and illegal tax collection on behalf of the banned terrorist organization NSCN (K) from various Government organizations and others by the cadres of NSCN (K) in Dimapur and Kohima areas carried out under the direction of self-styled Brigadier Isac Sumi of NSCN (K) and other senior leaders.
Two of the arrested officials were remanded to five days police custody on their production in the NIA Special Court in Dimapur on Wednesday while Tulula Pongen was admitted to hospital as she had reported sick.
The officials arrested by the NIA allegedly provided substantial amount to NSCN (K) by way of contributing Government funds to the banned outfit misusing their official capacity and position, thereby supporting NSCN (K) in furtherance of its unlawful activities.
They have also been involved in paying huge amount of money to various other underground (UG) rebel groups of Nagaland factions such as NSCN (Reconciliation), Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), Naga National Council (NNC) and others.
This was revealed during the scrutiny of the documents including demand letters and payment receipts which were seized during the search operation carried out by the NIA in 13 Government offices on January 18 this year.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier two active NSCN (K) cadres, S Khetoshe Sumi alias S K Assumi , self-styled finance-in-charge of Kohima and Dimapur area and Victo Swu alias Victo Sumi were arrested in connection with this case.
The documents seized from the accused and their interrogation revealed the involvement of the Government Officers in paying large sum of money to the tune of crores of rupees to various UG factions.