NIA charge sheets against NSCN-K men in abduction case

The National Investigation (NIA) Agency has filed charge sheets against five members of NSCN (Khaplang), a Myanmar-based militant group in a case related to the abduction of an employee engaged in the construction of railway tunnels in Manipur.

The employee of Bharti Infra Projects Limited was abducted earlier this year following which the outfit demanded Rs 1 crore but was released in May after payment of Rs 25 lakh, the NIA said. The NSCN-K, a Naga outfit has its hideouts in Myanmar but comprise of cadres from neighbouring Nagaland, Manipur and some other parts of the Northeast. The outfit demands a "sovereign Nagaland" comprising Naga-inhabited areas in parts of Myanmar and Northeast India.

The charge sheets were filed in a special court at Shillong, Meghalaya on Monday against Gaisinglung Meiringmei, deputy secretary of NSCN-K, his wife Tanthaoliu Gongmei and three cadres--Khamjang Rongmei, Dimchuingam Ruangmei and Ganthoulung Rongmei under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and sections of IPC.

"The employee was kidnapped by NSCN(K) cadres at the behest of Gaisinglung Meiringmei, deputy secretary (revenue) of NSCN(K) in order to extort Rs 1 crore, for his release, to finance the activities of the terrorist organisation for waging war against the State," an NIA statement said.

During the investigation, it was established that self-styled leader and cadres of the proscribed organisation conspired to kidnap the employee of Bhartiya Infra Projects Limited, which is engaged in the making of tunnel railway lines in Manipur. The entire conspiracy was hatched by NSCN K leaders based in Meghalaya. The ransom extorted was meant to purchase arms and ammunition for furthering the activities of the terrorist organisation to wage war against the State, it said.

Around Rs 15 lakh of the ransom money was recovered during the investigation of the case, NIA said.

Four accused, except Ganthoulung Rongmei are in judicial custody and efforts are on to arrest him, said the statement.