Kohima: The NIA has announced cash rewards for information on five absconding members of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) for their alleged involvement in the killing of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh and 10 others in May 2019.
The central government agency on Friday announced Rs 3 lakh award each for information on the suspects Absolon Tangkhul, Apem, and Victor Tangkhul. Rs 2 lakh each was announced for information on James Kiwang and Rabi Wangno.
In January of this year, the NIA had filed a charge sheet against four members of NSCN-IM for their involvement in the killing of the MLA.
NPP legislator Aboh and 10 others were killed when their convoy was ambushed near Pansum Thong village. The case was handed over to NIA in June, which has been investigating it ever since.
Notably, Aboh's assassination took place ahead of the announcement of assembly election results. Aboh was declared the winner and his widow, Chakat Aboh, was declared the winner in a by-election last September.
The NIA, in a statement, said that investigation has established that members of the NSCN-IM conspired to commit the "terrorist act" of killing Tirong Aboh and 10 others. "The terrorist act was a result of a larger conspiracy due to opposition by the MLA of anti-development and extortion activities of NSCN-IMM," an NIA added.
According to the agency, Absolom, Jenpi, Josaham, and Masangva allegedly carried out the killing, and another accused, Jai Kishan Sharma, financed the attack.
NIA has arrested six accused in connection with the case so far.
NSCN-IM is the biggest and oldest Naga rebel outfit. It has been in peace talks with the Centre since 1997 and signed a framework agreement in 2015.