Imphal: Manipur Police have arrested two suspected cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah NSCN (IM) for allegedly extorting money from commuters at Sibilong along the Imphal–Silchar National Highway (NH)-37 in Tamenglong district, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrested persons were identified as Gaisuaklung Ngaomei (45) of Bhalok village and Job Gangmei (29) of Sibilong Part-II in Tousem sub-division, both in Tamenglong district.
Police said they seized one live cartridge, Rs 22,000 in cash, and two Baofeng communication sets with chargers from the duo.
The arrests came days after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on August 1, where the state government and transport associations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen security for convoys along NH-37.
Under the agreement, a coordination committee will revise the existing standard operating procedure within a month, appoint nodal officers and launch district-level police drives to curb highway extortion.
The NSCN (IM) has been engaged in peace talks with the Centre since 1997 under a ceasefire arrangement aimed at facilitating political dialogue. The ground rules prohibit ambushes, raids and public display of cadres in uniform or with arms.
In a separate development, the proscribed NSCN/GPRN (K), Zeliangrong Region, clarified that P Lungthaokhon, son of P Gongkhonglung of Oinamlong village in Tamei sub-division, has no links with the outfit.
The group’s media cell issued the clarification following Lungthaokhon’s arrest by the Kaimai Police Outpost at around 3.30 p.m. on August 1, stating that he is neither a member of nor associated with the organisation.