This Article is From Jun 03, 2009

National Investigation Agency takes up its first case

National Investigation Agency takes up its first case
Guwahati:

The Centre has set a month's deadline to resolve the crisis in North Cachar Hills and has asked the National Investigation Agency to take over two cases but it will require
political will to ensure accountability.

The National Investigation Agency's first assignment is to investigate funding of militancy in North Cachar Hills by government functionaries.

"It's a fact, it's true that money has gone to the extremists. There's no doubt about it," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Mohit Hojai, the CEM of the N C Hills Autonomous Council, and R H Khan, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Welfare of the Council, were produced at the
sessions court in Guwahati on Tuesday for police remand.

In March 2009, two of Hojai's men were arrested with one crore in cash apparently meant for payment against 60 AK 47 rifles delivered to DHD(J), the Dimasa militant outfit.

"So far as our clients are concerned, a few years back in Assam a similar case was there that was funding case of ULFA by Tata tea Officials and then the apex court had held that funding of a militant organisation is a bailable offence under Section 10 of the unlawful activities prevention act," said Bijon Mahajan, lawyer.

It is common knowledge that development funds are siphoned off to fund militancy. It's also common knowledge that militants have nexus with various government agencies. But perhaps this is the first time the government is seriously investigating into this nexus.

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