NSCN leader in net

Khelen Thokchom TT, Imphal, June 13: Police have arrested two cadres of the NSCN (Khaplang), including a senior leader, during search operations launched in and around this city.

Police sources said in a release today that NSCN (K) leader Khumlo Abi Anal, alias Ambition, 40, who hails from Chandel district, was arrested on the outskirts of this city on Thursday. He is a regional chairman of the NSCN (K).

The police also said that following the Chandel attack carried out by a combined team of the NSCN (K), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and the Kangleipak Communist Party at Paraolon, more than 100km from here, they were on alert, suspecting that some of the militants who took part in the Chandel ambush could flee to the valley to hide.
Following information on the presence of some militants at Lamphel Sana Keithel, a marketplace on Imphal outskirts, police teams launched a search on Thursday. "During the operation, a senior leader of the NSCN (K) was arrested from a rented house located at Sana Keithel. He is a 'regional chairman' of the Naga outfit," the release added.

Ambition is now in police custody and is being interrogated. He hails from Lambung village of Chandel district and is the chairman of the NSCN (K)'s Amamchat region which covers Chandel district, the police said.

Sources said the National Investigation Agency, which is "investigating" the Chandel ambush, is expected to question the arrested rebels to find out whether they had a hand in the ambush. "The army intelligence is also likely to question him," a source said.

The police also arrested another cadre of the NSCN (K), Pammei Kakilong, alias Kaling, 22, of Tamenglong district, from Salam Leikai here on Thursday. He is also in police custody, being interrogated. On Wednesday, a joint team of the police and Assam Rifles arrested a cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party identified as Md Jahid Ali, 22, from Kiyamgei of Imphal East.