DIMAPUR, July 6: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN/GPRN) led by Nikki Sumi has strongly refuted the money laundering charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), calling the case “a fabrication of propaganda by Indian agencies.” The group’s reaction follows a recent proclamation by a Special PMLA Court in Imphal East that declared Nikki Sumi, self-styled Lt. General of NSCN (K), an absconder in connection with a money laundering case.
In a press statement issued through its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP), the NSCN/GPRN (Nikki) questioned the legal basis of the ED’s action, asserting that the case in question relates dates back to a 2017 incident involving the 34 Assam Rifles. According to the group, a sum of money was intercepted by Assam Rifles personnel at a mobile vehicle checkpoint near Karong in Manipur, which they claim was intended for a 25th marriage anniversary celebration in Taga, Myanmar.
The NSCN (K) clarified that the matter was handed over to Manipur Police, and a formal legal case followed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Senapati. They claimed that all relevant documentation regarding the source of the funds had been submitted and verified by the court. The matter was disposed of in favour of the accused under Cril. Misc. (Zima) case no. 10 of 2017, related to FIR No. 8(4) SPT P.S. under Section 17 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, with the court ordering the return of the seized money on May 9, 2017.
Reiterating that Nikki Sumi was never arrested with money, the group questioned what new evidence or incident now forms the basis of the money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The group also voiced concern over what it sees as a broader strategy by the Government of India (GoI) to discredit Naga political leadership.
“The GoI should never have invited NSCN/GPRN for peace talks if its true intention was to suppress Naga political rights using pressure tactics and legal harassment,” the statement read. It went on to accuse Indian investigative agencies of character assassination and spreading “lies and propaganda” by targeting Sumi and even his family members.
The NSCN (K) asserted that such intimidation tactics would not deter the group or sabotage the Indo-Naga peace process, stressing that the Naga political struggle rests on “strong historical foundations.”
The ED’s ongoing case reportedly includes four other co-accused, including Nikki Sumi’s wife. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for August 8.
