Rescue of Assam youth Ranjan Chhetri from NSCN (IM) camp at Dimapur on September 6 has brought to fore the unpalatable truth of how the outfit has been running the kidnapping racket in Nagaland. NSCN (IM) militants in Nagaland appear to be on a kidnapping spree to fill up their coffer. And it has spread its tentacles of network in Assam also.
Assam Police have rescued two other youths from the clutches of the militants and handed over them to Nagaland Police.
Ranjan Chhetri of Hatigaon area in Guwahati was kidnapped by the NSCN (IM) militants at Dimapur. Chhetri on August 31. Ranjan was invited by his friend Farhauddin on the occasion of Eid on August 23. According to Ranjan on August 31, the NSCN militants knocked at the door of his friend’s residence searching for him. When Ranjan had introduced himself before the militants they tied his hands before whisking him in an i20 car. The militants threatened him at the gun point not to make any hue and cry.
Ranjan’s friend Farhauddin’s role in the extortion is also under scanner.
The militants made a ransom call to Ranjan’s residence next day. After receiving the ransom call of Rs 3 lakh, Ranjan’s family approached the Hatigaon police station. Police swung into action and then traced the location of the caller at Half Nagarjan in Dimapur. A team of Assam Police reached Dimapur on September 4 and on September 6 rescued Ranjan from the clutches of the militants.
Allegations of extortion are galore against NSCN (IM) militants which is a signatory of the Naga Framework Agreement with the government of India in 2015.
In Nagaland traders, truckers and government employees are victims of extortion. It is also alleged that extortion takes place with the knowledge of Nagaland Police.