Kohima, January 25 (MExN): The PRO of the Assam Rifles, Kohima has alleged through “various intelligence inputs” that NSCN (K), ULFA (I) and KLO are “carrying out opium cultivation and trade in Kachin Province of Myanmar.”
A press release from PRO Assam Rifles, Kohima, today alleged that NSCN Khaplang cadres are “into cultivation and transportation of opium, but the same has been consistently denied by Khaplang.”
Based on a recent picture “uploaded” on social media by a senior leader of NSCN Khaplang group and Finance in-charge of Nagaland “with poppy cultivation in the background,” the PRO said that this “substantiates the claim made by various intelligence agencies that NSCN (K) is thriving on drug trafficking and opium trade.”
“On social media Self Styled Col Isak Sumi claims that it is poppy crop in the background close to Kachin–China border,” noted the PRO, thereby drawing the conclusion that NSCN (K) is “using the illicit money earned through narcotics to procure war like stores, training of their cadres and running camps for training other militant outfits on a purely mercenary basis.”
The PRO Assam Rifles went on to note in the press release that the “involvement of NSCN(K) in drug trafficking is posing serious problems for the Naga society in particular and North Eastern region as a whole.”
Concerned, the PRO stated, “Easy accessibility to drugs (Marijuana, Synthetic Drugs like ATS, Methaqualone or Mandrax, Methamphetamine, Ketamine, Opirates etc) and other contraband in Nagaland are rapidly engulfing the youth thus weakening the traditions and rich culture of Nagaland.”
With a word of advice, the PRO cautioned, “Drug trafficking in the region will keep simmering the insurgency unless the people of Nagaland stand against it and tackle the menace of drug trafficking.”
GPRN/NSCN cadre arrested
Meanwhile, acting on reliable input regarding the movement of armed cadres in 7th Mile, Chumukedima, 37 Assam Rifles under the aegis of 6 Sector Assam Rifles conducted a successful operation and arrested an armed GPRN/NSCN cadre on January 19.
According to an AR press note received here, the cadre, a “Second Lieutenant” of GPRN/NSCN was intercepted around 8:30 AM from the vicinity after a surveillance was mounted and the suspected individual was spotted positively.
The AR identified the accused as Isak Khiamniungan, a resident of Old Pangsa under Tuensang district presently residing in a Designated Camp.
One .22 Rifle with magazine and one mobile phone (Nokia) were recovered in his possession, it added.
Claiming that the arrested cadre is likely to be involved in “arms peddling activities” in the area, the AR maintained that his action was in contravention to the Ceasefire Ground Rules.
The cadre and recovered weapon were handed over to Diphupar Police Station on January 20, AR further informed.
