NIA files chargesheet against 5 NSCN-IM members in extortion racket

DIMAPUR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against five members of the NSCN(IM) over an extortion case in Nagaland involving an amount of over Rs 1.5 crore. A self-styled colonel of the outfit and his wife were also chargesheeted.

The chargesheet was filed before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Nagaland's Dimapur.

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Self-styled colonel Rayilung Nsarangbe, self-styled private Lamci Iralu, Zingshongam Muinao, Ruth Chawang and Ramningle Pame have been named in the NIA chargesheet.

Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, the Nagaland Security Regulation (NSR), the Passport Act and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act were invoked by the investigation agency in its chargesheet against the NSCN-IM members.

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An NIA official disclosed to media that the case relates to the recovery of Rs 1,58,72,800 along with illegal arms, ammunition, explosives and incriminating documents from the residence of Nsarangbe.

In the investigation that followed, the NIA reportedly discovered a well-organized extortion racket of the NSCN (IM) involving criminal intimidation of companies undertaking road construction projects in Manipur.

Government funds meant for development works were illegally diverted and collected by the NSCN(IM) operatives, the official further informed.

Pame, who is an elected member of the Autonomous Council of District Tamenglong of Manipur, has been assisting the NSCN(IM) in the collection of the extortion amounts, the NIA has charged.

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