Bangalore man strays into NSCN-K held territory in Myanmar

Held captive on suspicion, released unharmed on humanitarian ground

MON/LAHE TOWNSHIP, AUGUST 31 (MExN): A man from Banglarore, who allegedly strayed into Sagaing, Myanmar and held captive by the Yung Aung led faction of the NSCN-K, was released to Indian authorities in Mon district. The man identified as Chetan Raheja- a poet and a traveler from Bangalore, as per the Konyak Union, ventured into NSCN-K held territory in Myanmar from Longwa. 

Raheja had reportedly registered his personal details at the Mon Police Station on August 23 before travelling to Longwa and beyond and eventually held captive by the NSCN-K for 5 days on suspicion. 

A press release issued by the Konyak Union, Mon, said he was interrogated and told to turn back by the Assam Rifles posted at Longwa citing the sensitive security situation. The release said, he “ventured into/inside Myanmar territory which unfortunately was a base/area held by the NSCN K. As confessed, the NSCN-K had held him in their captivity since the tourist was found within their domain.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Konyak Union of Myanmar and India intervened for the release of the captive. The release said that one Nyemlang Konyak (a high functionary of the Naga Political Group) “was kind enough to understand and consider the case on humanitarian ground without further complication…”

It said that the NSCN-K despite being tagged a “terrorist” organization released Raheja unconditionally, while adding that such a gesture should be “reciprocated to the Nagas in Bangalore too.”

He was subsequently handed over to the KU (Myanmar) at Chen Loi-e village and to a combined team of KU (Mon) and Mon district administration at the international boundary on August 29. 

Consequent the incident and the present situation, the KU (Mon) issued a general advisory to tourists and the authorities alike. While calling for the cooperation of the authorities in concern, it asked all existing tourist agencies to coordinate with KU “so that such incidents do not occur in future.”    

In a separate press statement, the Konyak Union (Myanmar) said that Raheja reached Chen Loiye village on August 24 from Longwa without the knowledge of any of the local people. 

It said that he was detained by the NSCN-K for crossing the international border without any valid papers and kept in custody for 3 days. Meanwhile, the KU (Myanmar) mediated for Raheja’s release in the greater interest of peace.  

As per the statement, he was taken to Longwa after 4 days and handed over to Indian authorities at the house of the village Angh (chief). It sought the cooperation of the people of India if such a fate befalls any eastern Naga from Myanmar on the Indian side. Furthermore, it appreciated the Yung Aung-led NSCN-K for the compassion and understanding to release Raheja without harm.          

Meanwhile, the Mon police told The Morung Express that Chetan Raheja was on his way home after he was handed over to Indian authorities on August 29. According to the Mon police, Raheja was an Indian tourist from Bangalore on a visit to Longwa.
Confirming his visitor registration at the Mon Police Station on August 23, a Mon police source said, “He (Raheja) inadvertently strayed into the Myanmar side of the International border from Longwa.” 
He had reportedly ventured some 15km inside Myanmar before he was captured by the NSCN-K on suspicion. As per his statement, the police said that he had no idea he was in Myanmar territory when he was detained. 
Reports of his capture and subsequent detention reached the KU (Myanmar) through villagers, it said.  The union mediated for his release while simultaneously keeping in touch with the KU (Mon), it added.