The Indian Army and Assam Police have in a joint operation successfully dismantled a major extortion network operated by the NSCN (IM) in Upper Assam, according to reports. The operation, carried out in various areas of Tinsukia District, resulted in the apprehension of five key individuals responsible for channeling extortion funds to NSCN (IM) cadres, according to India Today NE.
The joint operation was initiated following credible intelligence inputs, targeting areas notorious for illicit activities linked to the insurgent group. One of the pivotal developments in the operation was the surveillance and subsequent apprehension of a tea garden owner who had received an extortion demand of Rs 10 lakhs from an NSCN (IM) cadre. This led to the identification and arrest of the first Over Ground Worker (OGW), ultimately uncovering a network of four additional accomplices involved in facilitating extortion payments, the report said.
Meanwhile, according to an IANS report, the Indian Army foiled an NSCN-IM recruitment bid in Assam’s Tinsukia district when “four misguided youths were prevented from joining the Naga militant group.”
Defence spokesman Lt Col Amit Shukla told IANS that the four youths came in contact with an NSCN-IM cadre, who lured them to join their ranks. He said that based on the specific information, the army was constantly monitoring the activities of both the youths and the cadre.
“On Friday, when the individuals, as instructed, were about to board a train to Dimapur from New Tinsukia railway station, Indian Army personnel, along with Assam Police established a discreet surveillance network at the railway station. All four youths were apprehended while trying to board the train,” Lt Col Shukla was quoted as saying.
He said that as per the latest inputs, the youths have been given a warning by police authorities and handed over to their families. “This successful precise information-based operation by the Army has not only prevented the misled youth of Upper Assam from falling into the trap of insurgents but has also exposed the nefarious network of illegal recruitment of young people from the region,” the spokesman said.