Itanagar: One Dowang Wangsa, a self-styled sergeant of the NSCN (IM), believed to be one of the masterminds in planning the attack on security forces near Sanliam village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district last year was arrested by the Assam Rifles and police on Wednesday.
Wangsa (27) was arrested from the Chasa village of Tirap district following a joint operation carried out by the Assam Rifles and local police on Wednesday. A pistol and live ammunition were also recovered from the insurgent, the Assam Rifles informed in a press release.
An jawan of the 6th Assam Rifles was killed after a patrolling party was allegedly ambushed by NSCN (IM) militants near Sanliam village in Tirap’s Lazu circle on October 21 last year.
The NSCN (IM) had, however, denied its involvement in the ambush while stating that “the media had simply given the report based on their own wild conjecture.”
“Interestingly, the NSCN (IM) vide a press statement on October 22, 2020 had denied its involvement in the ambush whereas Wangsa (following his arrest) has given out all details including the overall plan and individuals involved in the sabotage activity. The apprehension of this high ranking hardcore cadre of NSCN (IM) is a huge embarrassment to the outfit and has once again exposed its lies,” the Assam Rifles said.
The security forces said Wangsa is a close associate of self styled colonel Apem Tangkhul, who is also the operational commander of NSCN (IM) in Tirap district and also has links with self styled major victor Tangkhul of the same faction.
The apprehended insurgent, along with the recoveries, has been handed over to Khonsa police for further interrogation, the release added.
