Our Correspondent
Wokha | February 18
Nagaland Home Minister, Imkong L. Imchen, was arrested today and is in the custody of the Wokha police station. Imchen’s vehicle was intercepted early Monday by the 17 Assam Rifles for carrying cache of arms and ammunition along with cash amounting to Rs. 1.10 crore in 100 bundles of 1000 rupee notes and 20 bundles of 500 rupee notes.
A statement given by the Wokha police states that three police escort vehicles and a silver Scorpio (NL-01H-10811—that of Imchen) were intercepted by a routine patrolling party of the 17 Assam Rifles (AR) at 6.15 am near Longsa village check post in Wokha.
The Scorpio, when checked, was found to be carrying unlicensed arms and ammunition of “prohibited bore”, said the police statement. The weapons consist of five 7.65 mm pistols, ten magazines and 80 rounds of live ammunition of the same as well as two .303 rifles, two magazines and 100 rounds of live ammunition of the same. The 17 AR also recovered cash worth Rs. 1.10 crore (one crore and ten lakh), ten bottles of Blender’s Pride (whiskey) and one bottle of Black Dog (whisky).
Subsequently, the 17 AR handed over the seized arms and ammunition, money and IMFL along with five persons to the SP Wokha at 2.30 pm. The five persons include Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen, his son Sentikumba (Akum), P.S.O. of Home Minister Mhabemo Yanthan, Abhimanyu Singh and domestic help of Imkong Imchen, Michael.
Imchen, also the standing MLA of 28 Koridang A/C in Mokokchung district, is contesting on an NPF ticket for the same constituency this election and is pitted against Moatemjen of the INC and independent candidate T. Chalukumba. Imchen’s vehicle is said to have been traveling from Kohima to Mokokchung when detained.
The Assam Rifles claimed to be on a routine early morning check of the area due to an increase in underground activity when they came upon Imchen’s convoy.
Having received a statement from Havildar Hoshiar Singh of the 17 AR, the Wokha police station finally filed case number 19/13 against the five concerned under Sections 171 (e) [bribery], 171 (h) [illegal payments in connection with election], 188 IPC [disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant] to be read with 25 (1 Arms Act) (non bailable), 44 Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act and 77 (3) Representation of People’s Act.
The handing over and checking of arms and ammunition was done in the presence of a General Observer, an Expenditure Observer and Police Observer. The five persons are under arrest and will be in custody of the Wokha police station tonight. They will be produced before a magistrate on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, talking to the Morung Express, SP of Wokha, Lima Sunep IPS, said that the investigation has been endorsed to the SDPO Wokha. “We will go strictly as per the provision of law,” said Sunep.
Expenditure Observer, Abu Sama, also present in Wokha, told the Morung Express that “I am the ears and eyes of the election so I cannot comment on anything”. However, when asked if the incident is in violation of the election Moral Code of Conduct, he said it was. Sama has already sent a report along with pictures to the Election Commission of India.
.jpeg)
