[Pisi Zauing]
DIBRUGARH, Jun 29: A hardcore NSCN (IM) operative, identified as Khemphai Wangsu, was nabbed by the police here in Assam on Saturday, along with the driver of the WagonR car (AS-04-1803) in which the operative was travelling.
The driver has been identified as Md Kazimuddin.
The duo was arrested from Amolapatty area. Rs 15 lakhs, which they had allegedly collected from Arunachal Pradesh, was seized from their possession.
Interestingly, three engineers of the rural works department (RWD) and an LDC, all from Arunachal, have also been detained for interrogation. They have been identified as Wangpan Wangsu (JE, Longding), Likha Oma (JE, Ziro), Lostrang (AE, West Kameng), and Tensin Norbu (LDC, Tawang).
The NSCN-IM operative had reportedly come from Dimapur (Nagaland) a few days back and was staying at a city hotel.
Till reports last came in, the exact reason behind detaining the RWD engineers and the LDC is yet to be ascertained. However, it is believed that the arrest from Mohanbari area of two women from Vijaynagar in Arunachal, on 27 June, along with arms, has a connection with this latest arrest.
Dibrugarh, which was once known as one of the most peaceful towns of Assam, has gradually become a safe haven for insurgent outfits.