Guwahati: The NIA special court in Guwahati on Tuesday awarded life imprisonment to two former militant leaders and a prominent politician in respect of the alleged Rs 1000 crore financial scandal and terror funding in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) , now Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, of Assam besides handing out jail terms along with fine to 12 others including government officials accused in the case.
The NIA special judge here handed life imprisonment to `chairman’ of militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) which is now engaged in peace talks with the government of India, Jewel Garlosa, commander-in-chief of the DHD (J), Niranjan Hojai and former chief executive member (CEM) of NCHAC, Mohet Hojai, according to the NIA counsel Dilip Das.
Mohet Hojai who was arrested way back on May 30, 2009 has been lodged in jail while militant leaders Jewel Garlosa and Niranjan Hojai though had been arrested, were out on bail. Both of them are now elected member of the autonomous council in Dima Hasao. Niranjan Hojai is an elected member of the BJP party.
Das informed that total 15 persons were convicted in NIA case for siphoning off government funds for terrorist activities by the NIA Special Court here in connection with two NIA cases (Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) cases).
These cases were the first two cases entrusted to the NIA, after its formation in year 2009. The rest of the accused were handed jail terms ranging from 8 to 12 years besides fine.
Another huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered by the Assam Police including 29 AK 47/AK 56 rifles, five M-16 rifles, three SLRs and other weapons. An amount of Rs. 1,32,11,000/- in cash was also recovered in both the cases.
