Imphal, January 21: Categorically stating that there is a bigger conspiracy, involving politicians of Manipur as well as high ranking police officers, in the kidnapping and later murder of Lungnila Elizabeth, the NSCN (IM) today said that after intense interrogation, the main accused James Kuki alias Letsei Haokip has confessed that "right after the incident he met TN Haokip the present Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly and Ngamthang Haokip present TD Minister, Government of Manipur and Gaikhangam, PWD Minister, Government of Manipur.

He pleaded for his security and shelter but the politicians warned him not to disclose their names even if he is arrested and sent him away with some money".

Disclosing this startling revelation, the NSCN IM in a statement issued by Major Asang, Interrogation Officer, said that as Elizabeth's murder case involves State politicians who used high ranking police officers, the police could not arrest the culprits.

"In fact those arrested on suspicion by low ranking police personnel were released to avoid the clue or the evidence of the case," claimed the outfit.

The statement said that the GPRN high command endorsed Major Asang to conduct the investigation of the case after James Kuki was captured by the NSCN (IM) and added that the IO and his team are doing all that they can to find out the facts and finalise the case with all evidences.

However due to security reasons the cross examination of all reliable sources found in the process of the investigation may take some more time, said the outfit and added that their men have been deployed in and around Imphal as most of the people involved in the case happen to be from Imphal area.

NSCN (IM) further said that if the named politicians deny their involvement they will be given "enough chances" to appear before the GPRN Court and justify their position in the presence of James Haokip.

The Interrogation Officer of the case, Major Asang, has also appealed to all section of the people to keep calm and extend their fullest co-operation so that justice can be delivered.

This is the first time that the NSCN (IM) has come out with an official statement with regard to the investigation it has conducted in the killing of the school girl, after James Kuki fell into their dragnet.

When The Sangai Express contacted TD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, he said that he doesn't know James Kuki and has no relationship with him and refuted the IM version that James met him.

"It is only from the newspaper reports that I learnt that James stayed at Langol," said Ngamthang and dismissed the findings of the IM group.

The TD Minister said that the story of the NSCN (IM) could be a ploy to pull down the Government and added that during his entire political career he has never kept any contacts with any underground outfits.

He also scoffed at the suggestions of the NSCN (IM) that the named Ministers should come and state their case in the presence of James Kuki.

Works Minister Gaikhangam on being contacted said that the version of the NSCN (IM) is a �serious attempt to topple the Government� and dubbed the story as baseless and concocted.

"I have nothing to do with that episode," he stressed.

To cross check the report received here, The Sangai Express contacted the Dimapur based Nagaland Page and the daily confirmed that all the State dailies of Nagaland have also received the same press statement.