GUWAHATI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three officials of Nagaland government – G Ikuto Zhimoni, Director of Agriculture of Directorate of Agriculture, Kohima ; Sh Ketouzo Peseyie, executive engineer, Directorate of Rural Development and Sangtemchuba ; Divisional Accounts officer, Directorate of Urban Development, Kohima — in connection with RC-01/2016/NIA-GUW case regarding allegation of largescale extortions and illegal tax collections on behalf of the banned terrorist outfit NSCN (K) from various government organisations and others by cadres of NSCN (K) in Dimapur and Kohima areas of Nagaland.
The NIA office here informed that the extortions were carried out under directions of self-styled brigadier of the NSCN (K) and Isac Sumi and other senior leaders of the outfit.
The arrested government officials in their official capacity provided substantial amount to the NSCN (K) by way of contributing government funds to the banned outfit, thereby supporting NSCN(K) in furtherance of its unlawful activities, the NIA informed in a communique issued here on Sunday.
The government officials were arrested for paying huge amount of money to various underground rebel factions of Nagaland such as NSCN(K), NSCN (R), FGN, NNC and others during 2012-2016. The facts were revealed during the scrutiny of the official documents including demand letters nd payment receipts which were seized during the search operation carried out by NIA in 13 government offices on January 18, 2017.
It is worth mentioning that earlier two 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 this case. The documents seized from them and their interrogation revealed the involvement of the government officials in paying large sums of money to the tune of crores of Rupees to various underground rebel groups.
The accused persons will be produced before special NIA court in Nagaland at Dimapur Monday for seeking NIA custody.
