Assam Rifles launched a well-coordinated intelligence-based operation on Tuesday and apprehended an NSCN (Khango) cadre and an overground worker in the general area of Rima–Putok circle in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district, official sources informed on Wednesday. The security forces acted on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of an overground worker (OGW) in contact with an armed Naga extremist (ANE). “During the course of the operation, security forces apprehended Kamnong Pangtha, who is an ANE affiliated with NSCN (Khango) along with a Changlang-based OGW Gopang Negimu,” sources informed.
It was revealed that both individuals were actively involved in extortion activities and played a significant role in the recruitment of local youth into insurgent ranks. Their activities were primarily concentrated in the general areas of Changlang and Jairampur. “Further investigation brought to light that the OGW was attempting to facilitate the defection of cadres from the NSCN (Khango) faction to the NSCN (Angmai) faction in the Rima–Putok Circle. The effort was aimed at augmenting the cadre strength and operational influence of the NSCN (Angmai) faction in the region, indicating ongoing factional dynamics within insurgent groups,” an official statement said.
“The apprehended ANE and OGW, along with their belongings, were subsequently handed over to the local police authorities for further investigation and necessary legal action,” it stated.
