NSCN rebels nabbed by Assam Rifles

Itanagar, April 25:  Security forces in the past 36 hours apprehended one NSCN (IM) and a NSCN (K) cadre from Longding and Tirap district respectively.

The Longding Battalion of Assam Rifles undertook an operation in Longphong area of the district today and arrested NSCN (IM) self-styled private Wangphai Wangsu who, is a hardcore cadre.

The rebel was terrorizing the people through extortion bids, Defence Spokesman Col Chiranjeet Konwer informed. A pistol with ammunition along with a magazine of AK-47 was recovered from his possession.

During interrogation the cadre revealed that he was trying to carry out extortion from locals and businessmen of Longphong area. The cadre was recruited by the banned outfit in 2015 and was wanted by the police for extortion. In another operation at Muktwa village under Khonsa in Tirap district, the Khonsa Battalion of Assam Rifles during an operation arrested a cadre of the NSCN (K) on Monday. The arrested cadre was identified as self-styled sergeant Wangphiak Lowang.

Based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of the rebel, the battalion launched an operation and nabbed the rebel when he tried to run after being challenged by the battalion. On search, the cadre was found in possession of a large quantity of explosives, cordex, safety fuse and detonators. He was also carrying ledger of extortion and extortion letters meant for illegal collection of money from the villagers, shopkeepers and businessmen of the area.

On interrogation, he admitted his allegiance to the outfit and revealed that he is an active cadre from the FirstMobile Battalion of the NSCN (K) and was enrolled in 2010 and has been acting as self-styled Rajapio of Soha and Deomali areas carrying out extortion and kidnappings activities in the area, the spokesman added.