ED attaches immovable assets worth Rs. 6.88 crore of NSCN-IM in terror funding case

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 16

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Monday it has issued a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to seize movable assets worth Rs. 6.88 crore held in the name of self-styled Colonel (Treasurer) of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) – IM Rayilung Nsarangbe, his wife Ruth Chawang, and one Apam Muivah in connection with terror financing case linked to the insurgent group.

Officials in the agency said, the investigation under provisions of the PMLA revealed that the district in-charge of four administrative districts of Manipur— Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, and Chandel—were reporting to Rayilung, as he was “the Treasurer of the Collective Leadership”.

“The district representatives were submitting the extorted money along with the details of the collection made by them from various economic activities to Rayilung,” said a senior ED official.

Noting that a huge amount of extortion (illegal “TAX”) was being directly collected by Rayilung, the official said, “Major part of the extortion amount was being utilised as per the direction of the Collective Leadership and part of it, was being deposited in the bank accounts maintained in the name of Rayilung, his wife and Apam.”

Further to conceal the proceeds of crime, several mutual funds and insurance products were subscribed and purchased in the name of Ruth Chawang @ Ruth Zeliang, from the cash deposited in the accounts, he said.

“After due process of investigation, the proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 6.88 crore approximately were traced and provisionally attached under PMLA, 2002,” the official said.

ED initiated investigation in the case on the basis of an NIA FIR, which was registered on July 9, 2020. The NIA, later in its charge sheet in the case alleged that the terrorist gang of NSCN –IM was carrying out well organised extortion racket in Manipur and Nagaland, resulting in the diversion of government funds and that in pursuance of their conspiracy for terrorist acts, “it had been criminally intimidating construction companies in Manipur and collecting huge sum as “illegal tax”.