In connection with the alleged beating up of two students over stealing money, NSCN (I-M) Wednesday clarified that the case was “complicated” and that it was under investigation.

Interacting with media persons, NSCN (I-M) UT-1 CAO, L. Chuba Pongen said that NSCN (I-M) apprehended “thieves” not students as per the statement of Imtiwati Ao’s domestic help.  Pongen however said after investigation, the students were sent home after taking their “statements”.

Reiterated that NSCN (I-M) had “people’s mandate” and that it stood for “justice and right decision” and nobody should “doubt” it’s “credibility”, Pongen said that the two students studying in students XI and class VI at two different schools in Dimapur allegedly stole Rs. 4 lakhs from the residence of one Imtiwati Ao at Industrial village Razuphe on July 6.
Narrating the incident, Pongen said that on July 7, based on Imliwati’s complaint, the students were brought to the former’s residence by UT-1 “guard commander” for the alleged theft. He said that the students were sent home after giving them Rs. 100 (auto fare) as they denied their involvement and informed that they would be summoned if required.

However on interrogating Imtiwati’s domestic it was revealed that the domestic help and the two students planned to steal the money in the absence of house owners.

While not denying that the students were beaten during interrogation, Pongen said that the bruise marks on the boys were caused during extraction of “statements” by the cadres.

Stating that the theft might have occurred around 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pongen said that since one of them was at the school during the time of the theft and the other had a half-holiday on the same day, NSCN (I-M) would ascertain facts and would come out with the conclusion.

Maintaining that their intention was not to hurt the sentiments of any individuals, organizations, community, unions, Pongen said that NSCN (I-M) has been working for the Nagas and would continue to do so.

Meanwhile, it was learnt from police sources that the parents of the boys had lodged an FIR against Imliwati at West Police station and a counter FIR has also been lodged by Imliwati. It was also reported that Dimapur police team raided the house of the two students but the stolen money could not be recovered.