GUWAHATI, Nov 6 - The establishment of the involvement of the NSCN(IM) � which is under ceasefire agreement with the Government of India and has signed a peace pact � in an ambush on security forces has become a matter of concern. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a hardcore member of the outfit for his involvement in the attack.
NIA sources told The Assam Tribune that self-styled captain of the NSCN(IM), Singmaty Kapai was the mastermind of the attack on security forces in Tupi village in Khonsa area of Arunachal Pradesh on April 2 this year. Three security personnel were killed in the attack, while three others received serious injuries.
It was initially suspected that NSCN(K), which broke away from the ceasefire agreement with the Government early this year, was involved in the incident. But during the course of the investigation, it was found that NSCN(IM) was involved in the attack.
Sources said that Kapai, who hails from Ukhrul area of Manipur, was arrested in the Khonsa area of Arunachal Pradesh. He was in charge of the operations of the outfit in that area. The arrested militant was produced in the Special NIA Court in Itanagar, which remanded him to NIA custody till November 23. It is expected that questioning of the militant would lead to recovery of weapons used in the attack.
During preliminary questioning, the arrested militant said that the Army had launched at least 50 attacks on NSCN(IM) in Arunachal Pradesh within this year and they wanted to retaliate.
It may be mentioned here that the NIA has been investigating three major attacks on security forces in the North East region. Sources said that the involvement of NSCN(K) in the other two attacks has been established and the NIA has already announced cash rewards for anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of the NSCN(K) chief and the Army chief of the outfit.
