The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Guwahati on Sunday arrested three Nagaland government officers in Dimapur in connection with their alleged involvement in “large scale extortions” and illegal “tax collections” on behalf of the banned NSCN (K) from various government organisations and others in Dimapur and Kohima areas of the state.
They were arrested in connection with a case RC-01/2016/NIA-GUW, the NIA said in a statemnet.
The arrested officials are Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Kohima, G Ikuto Zhimomi, Executive- Engineer, Directorate of Rural Development, Kohima, Ketouzo Peseyie and Divisional Accounts Officer, Directorate of Urban Development, Kohima, Sangtemchuba.
NIA officials said these officials in their official capacity provided substantial amount of money to NSCN (K) by way of contributing government funds, thereby supporting it in furtherance of its unlawful activities.
It said the three government officers were arrested on the basis of their alleged involvement in paying huge amount of money to various underground factions such as NSCN (K), NSCN (R), FGN, NNC and others within the period from the year 2012 to 2016.
The allegations were revealed during the scrutiny of the official documents, including demand letters and payment receipts, seized during the search operation carried out by NIA in 13 government offices on January 1, 2017, said the officials.
The NIA further said two active NSCN (K) rebels, S Khetoshe Sumi, “ss” finance-in-charge of Kohima and Dimapur areas and Victo Swu were arrested in the case earlier.
The documents seized from the accused and their interrogation revealed the involvement of the three government officers in paying large sum of money to the tune of crores to the various underground factions.
They will be produced before Special NIA court Nagaland in Dimapur on Monday with a request for police remand, added the official.
The NSCN (K) cadres in Dimapur and Kohima areas carried out large scale extortions and illegal tax collections under the direction of self-styled “Brig” Isac Sumi (A-3) of NSCN (K) and other senior leaders, said the officials of the investigating agency.
The NIA had also issued two summons to former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang asking him to appear in its office in New Delhi earlier in connection with alleged “tax collection” and “extortion” from state government departments by banned Naga insurgent groups.