NIA raids Nagaland locations in NSCN(IM) terror funding case

NEW DELHI: Searches conducted by NIA in Imphal and Dimapur on Tuesday in a case relating to terror funding of Naga rebel outfit NSCN(IM), led to recovery of huge cache of cash, documents of properties worth Rs 3 crore and other incriminating material, according to NIA.
The searches were carried out at five premises of close associates and relatives of accused Alemla Jamir, wife of NSCN(IM) steering committee member Pungting Shirmrang alias James Jamir.Alemla, alleged to be working for NSCN(IM), was arrested on December 18, 2019, at the New Delhi domestic airport with cash totalling Rs 72 lakh. A case alleging terror funding of NSCN(IM) — wherein unaccounted funds were being taken by “cash courier” Alemla from Delhi to Nagaland — was subsequently registered by NIA.
Searches conducted on Tuesday at the premises of close associates and relatives of Alemla Jamir have led to recovery of cash worth Rs 82.6 lakh, documents of different properties worth Rs 3 crore, incriminating diaries, photographs, digital devices including fifteen smartphones, one hard disk, one pen drive, one memory card and four laptops. Certain insurgency and extortion related literatures as well as other incriminating documents have also been seized.
Searches have also revealed that unaccounted money (in cash) is being used for purchase of properties. An NIA official said the recoveries show that NSCN(IM) leaders are using money from extortion activities to buy properties for own personal gain.
An NIA special court had on January 10 extended judicial custody of accused Alemla Jamir for one month. Her husband and NSCN(IM) functionary Pungting Shimrang is absconding.