Former Nagaland chief minister and senior NPF leader, T.R. Zeliang has denied any involvement in alleged siphoning of government funds to any militant outfit.
He made this assertion while making a written submission before National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A report in Times of India (TOI) quoted a source close to the former chief minister saying “Zeliang’s advocate submitted his written reply to NIA where he has made it clear that he has nothing to do with the siphoning of government funds to NSCN (K) or any other outfit. He has also mentioned that, if government departments have been doing so, he was not aware of it and had that been brought to his knowledge he would put an end to it.”
“He (Zeliang) did not meet National Investigation Agency and only submitted his written reply. There is no question of him appearing before NIA since there is no proof whatsoever that he sponsored or supported or extended support or assisted or aided NSCN (K),” the source told the Times of India.
National Investigation Agency had first faxed a letter to the Nagaland chief minister’s office (CMO) summoning T.R. Zeliang to its New Delhi office on Tuesday.
Zeliang, who is now leader of opposition in Nagaland Legislative Assembly, wrote back to NIA seeking a later date for appearance, as the first session of the newly-elected Assembly started from Tuesday and he needed to be present.
The investigating agency had then changed the date to Saturday.
The terror funding probe had started in 2016 when NPF-led government was in power. The summon notice, signed by NIA deputy superintendent of police Yogesh Rathore of Guwahati unit, referred to Zeliang as being “acquainted with circumstances of the case”.
Just before the Assembly election in February, NIA had summoned three officials from CMO to Guwahati. Two days before the election results were announced, one of these officers was summoned to New Delhi again.
Times of India further quoted the source: “It is most unfortunate that NIA is being used by political elements for selfish political ends. Zeliang is being arm twisted to bow down before these elements, which want him to join a certain party.”