Cash award announced for Tirap absconders

Itanagar, Dec 22 (UNI) Police in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh have announced a cash award for information on two NSCN(IM) cadres, namely Salem Wangsu and Jago Pansa, who are absconding after committing various crimes in the district, according to police sources.

On a tip-off, a joint team of the CRPF and police conducted raids in Longding and Tissa areas recently and apprehended Bowang Wangpan, Ason Wangsu (both of Kabu village), Palai Pausa, Gedun Wangsa, Tahadum Wangsu and Puman Pausa (of Ninu village), accused in the 9 mm pistol snatching case.

However, Salem, a self-styled NSCN(IM) lieutenant and Jago, a second lieutenant, the mastermind behind snatching the pistol of an IRBn officer on November 13 last at Deomali, managed to escape in a white Maruti car.

The car with a fake registration number was seized along with incriminating documents, seals, stamps and letterheads of the underground organisation.

Besides admitting their involvement in the case, the arrested criminals disclosed that they had extorted around Rs 2.2 lakh from various persons of the district during October and November, the sources said.

Salem, who has been running a fair price shop since 1994, was arrested for abducting a principal's son but had escaped from the judicial custody in 1998, the sources added.

The sustained anti-insurgency operation in the district had mounted pressure on the anti-nationals resulting in reduction in extortion and other criminal incidents. The collection of service tax by the UG elements has been discontinued since this year following strict vigilance by the security forces.

UNI UPB BA SRC PB RK1255