In poll bound Nagaland, NIA summons OSD to Chief Minister

The National Investigation Agency has summoned the Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister of Nagaland for questioning in connection with an alleged terror funding case. The NIA is probing cases relating to alleged extortion by terror groups such as the NSCN (K) from 14 government organisations.

The timing of the summons is interesting considering Nagaland is poll bound. Two other office staff of the CM, T R Zeliang have also been summoned for questioning by the NIA.

Those summoned by the NIA include Ruokuovizo Chupno, OSD to CM Zeliang, and two public relations officers in his office.

In an official statement, the agency said, "These seizures prima facie indicate the connivance of these government organisations in funding various underground organisations operating in Nagaland." Sources said these departments include the Directorate of Information Technology, Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation, Directorate of Irrigation, Directorate of Rural Development, Directorate of Urban Development, PWD, Roads and Buildings, and Directorate of Information and Public Relations.

Reacting to the development., Sabastin Zumvu, the press secretary of the Nagaland Peoples' Front said, "The NIA action isn't surprising. Since they (BJP) are no longer in coalition with us for the elections, this is what they are doing. The NIA is a Central agency and it would be fair for them to enquire into large money withdrawals by BJP candidates and their families from banks just before the elections."

On January 18, 2017, the NIA conducted searches in various government departments in Nagaland and seized receipts that showed payments to the tune of Rs 2 crore.

OneIndia News