Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Police have uncovered and dismantled a cross-border militant recruitment and arms trafficking network with links to insurgent groups operating in the region.
The operation revealed ties to the National Socialist Council for Taniland (NSCT) and its armed wing, the United Tani Army (UTA), according to senior police officials.
The NSCT advocates for the creation of “Taniland,” a proposed homeland for the Tani tribes residing primarily in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh and bordering Assam.
The investigation was triggered in January after police took suo moto action on threatening videos and letters circulated on social media, allegedly issued by NSCT leader Anthony Doke — a fugitive wanted in over 20 cases.
A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Unlawful Activities (UA) Act, Capital Superintendent of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh confirmed.
Multiple arrests have since been made, with suspects accused of recruiting marginalised youth into the UTA and violating arms laws.
Intelligence inputs also pointed to an attempted trafficking of a young boy from the Tarasso region in Papum Pare district to a militant training camp in Myanmar.
“Further investigations revealed that at least three more boys had already been forcibly taken from Itanagar for recruitment. Two have returned, recounting severe physical and mental abuse during their time in the camp,” Singh stated.
A chargesheet has already been filed in the case, though inquiries remain ongoing.
In a separate operation on April 30, police arrested an individual linked to the NSCN-KYA for extorting money from local contractors to fund insurgent activities.
The arrest led to the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the suspect confessed to involvement in an arms trafficking ring based in Itanagar, connected to insurgent outfits in Nagaland.
Subsequent raids resulted in more arrests, the seizure of illegal firearms, and unaccounted cash.
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A second case was then registered at the Itanagar Police Station under relevant sections of the BNS, UA Act, and Arms Act, targeting the broader arms distribution network.
Further investigations revealed a troubling nexus between the arms racket and a narcotics ring operating in the Gohpur–Chimpu corridor near Itanagar.
This discovery led to a third case being registered under the NDPS Act at Chimpu Police Station, resulting in two arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs.
