10 Nagaland govt officials diverted funds to NSCN (K): NIA

GUWAHATI, June 1, 2018: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday claimed that their investigation so far has "clearly established" involvement of 10 arrested Nagaland government officials in the diversion of public funds to the NSCN (K), a banned rebel group.

The agency which filed a supplementary charge-sheet against 10 officials, including a retired officer, on Thursday at a special NIA court in Dimapur, claimed that the accused had helped the NSCN (K) in raising funds from government resources.

The case (01/2016) was registered by the Guwahati office of the NIA in 2016 based on complaints of largescale extortions and unlawful tax collections by various militant organ-isations/gangs in Nagaland.

The 10 government officials were arrested last year and earlier this year.

In a statement, the NIA said the extortion drive was carried out under the direction of self-styled brigadier of NSCN (K), Issac Sumi, who has also been arrested.

The arrested government officials are Alienba Pangjung Jamir, joint director, department of land resources, Kohima, K. Lashito Sheqi, upper division assistant/cashier, department of land resources, Tulula Pongen, joint director, department of social welfare, Vilepral Aja, additional director attached to directorate of agriculture, K. Hutoi Sema, executive engineer, irrigation and flood control department, Kekhriesatuo Tep, superintendent of fisheries, Purakhu Angami, retired director, department of tourism, G. Ikuto Zhimomi, director, directorate of agriculture, Sangtemchuba, divisional accounts officer, directorate of urban development and Ketouzo Peseyie, executive engineer, directorate of rural development, Kohima.

They have been booked under Sections 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Source: The Telegraph