KOHIMA, May 19? The NSCN(I-M) has claimed it does not have any relation with Nagaland Transport Minister Yeangpong Konyak and clarified that the arrested activist of the outfit had forcibly used the State government?s vehicle to carry explosives for his personal interest. Assam police had earlier arrested Arun Wangchuk, personal secretary of the Transport Minister and three others, including an NSCN(I-M) activist, on the inter-State border check post in Karbi Anglong district on May 6 and seized a huge cache of explosives.
An NSCN(I-M) release issued here Saturday said the organisation thoroughly investigated the May 6 incident and found that the activist Topho had forcibly used the Minister?s vehicle for his ?personal interest?. Terming the incident as a ?clear case of abuse of power by Topho?, the release claimed that NSCN(I-M) authorities had never authorised him to do so.
Assam police during routine frisking, recovered 300 gelatine sticks, 40 detonators, a coil of fuse wire and several pairs of army uniform from the vehicle which was assigned to the personal secretary by the Transport department for official duty. The Nagaland government had already terminated the service of Arun Wangchuk. The NSCN(I-M) also directed the authority the ?authority concerned to take immediate and necessary action against the accused as per the ?rules and regulations of the Naga army?, the release said.
Meanwhile, reports received here said all the four accused were remanded to judicial custody by a Diphu court Friday. They have been booked under sections 120 (b) and 140 of IPC an Explosive Substance Act. Karbi Anglong police claimed the arrested ?Sergeant Major of NSCN(I-M) had told the interrogators that the consignment of explosives was headed for Mon district, a stronghold of its rival group NSCN(K). Police said the arrested militant also admitted that he had previously carried explosives in government vehicles to Mokokchung and Tuensang districts.