NIA gets custody of top NSCN-K leader

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday took over the custody of regional commander of NSCN(K) Khumlo Abi Anal from Manipur police in connection with June 4 attack on the Army.

Informing that the investigating agency has succeeded in establishing his involvement in Manipur ambush, the NIA sources in Guwahati told this newspaper, “We have already interrogated him in custody of the Manipur police and got some vital clue indicating his involvement in Manipur ambush.”

Eighteen Army personnel were killed and 15 others seriously wounded when a convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment was ambushed by suspected NSCN(K) militants at Paraolong village in Manipur’s Chandel district bordering Myanmar on June 4.

A self-styled “chairman” of NSCN(K)’s “Amamchat region”, Khumlo Abi Anal, was nabbed by Imphal west district police commandos during a search operation in a super market under Lamphel police station on June 11. He hails from Lambung village of Chandel district.

The police commandos had also arrested another NSCN(K) activist Pammei Kakilong, alias Kaling, of Chingkhulong village of Tamenglong district while conducting frisking at Sagolband Salam Leikai in Imphal West district on June 11.

Meanwhile, the NIA, in a press release, claimed that the NIA had also arrested NSCN(K) finance secretary Khekaho Rochill on May 28 with cooperation from the Assam Rifles.

According to the NIA, Rochill was arrested “in connection with his alleged association with the NSCN(K) and terror activities.” It was revealed that during investigation Rochill “emerged as one of the conspirators in providing financial support to carry out terror activities in the country, including the firing on Assam Rifles at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on March 26, 2015.”

The NIA recovered “incriminating documents,” a laptop and mobile phones during the arrest.

The accused was produced before a special NIA court in Dimapur, which granted 10 days police remand to enable the NIA to proceed with further investigation.

However, security sources told this newspaper that self-style finance secretary of NSCN-K was arrested by Assam Rifles on May 26 from Zunheboto district somewhere between Sataka and Aghunato.