EMN
Dimapur, August 14
A team of security forces and members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have reportedly apprehended a person they said is the NSCN’s (Khaplang) “town commander” for Kohima town.
The security force issued a press release on Friday, August 14 informing about the catch. The person was caught on August 3, the media was informed.
The security forces named the cadre as one SS “major” Kisheto Ayem of the NSCN (K). He was “involved in many killings and assassinations in Nagaland, including the firing on the AR post at IG Stadium”, the press release stated.
“In a joint operation by Assam Rifles, Army and National Investigative Agency (NIA), SS Major Kisheto Ayem of NSCN (K) was apprehended near Tsiesena Basa, Kohima on 03 Aug 2015. Kisheto was the NSCN(K) ‘town commander’ of Kohima and was involved in many killings and assassinations in Nagaland, including the firing on the AR post at IG Stadium on 26 Mar 2015 in which one AR soldier was martyred and three were injured. Incidentally, this attack by Kisheto of NSCN (K) was also responsible for breaking the ceasefire with government of India,” the press release stated.
At the time of his being caught, the press release stated, Ayem was in the possession of a 9 mm Beretta pistol and seven bullets.
“On questioning he took the joint team to a hideout in the forest where he had hidden a large cache of war like stores, which included one M-16 Assault Rifle, one .303 Bolt Action Rifle, one Chinese hand grenade, three magazines and 192 bullets for the rifles. SS Maj Kisheto Ayem was the kingpin of all extortion activities by NSCN (K) in Kohima and Dimapur,” the army stated.
“The arrest of SS Maj Kisheto Ayem has resulted in a huge setback to the activities of NSCN (K) in Kohima and Dimapur. NIA has taken custody of SS Maj Kisheto Ayem and produced him before the NIA special court for further remand”.
