Imphal, November 12: In a repeat of the 2003 incident wherein some top leaders of the NSCN (IM) were arrested and subsequently released an 'official' of the same outfit along with two cadres and arms were reportedly arrested from IT road near Kangpokpi but their whereabouts remain unknown arising question of whether they too had been let off.

According to an Assam Rifles source, a team of 14 AR deployed on Mobile Vehicle check Post duty came across a Deputy Kilonser (Minister) and two other armed cadres travelling on a Bolero jeep on October 31 on the IT road, from where the 2003 arrest was also made.

The Deputy Kilonser identified as one Akhon and his two accomplices were interrogated during which they revealed their identities, said the source while adding that they were subsequently handed over to Kangpokpi police station the same evening.

One AK rifle and a pistol found from the trio's possession were also handed over to the police station along with the arrested persons, the AR source said and explained that the arrests were made for breaching ceasefire ground rules signed between Govt of India and NSCN (IM).

The source speculated that the two cadres might be personal securitymen of the Deputy Kilonser.

Even as efforts to contact Senapati district SP, under whose jurisdiction the detention site and police station falls, and the DIG Range to gather detailed information drew blank, a responsible police officer confirmed arrest of the trio.

He, however, conveyed of being unable to ascertain whether the arrested persons are still detained in Kangpokpi police station or have been released.

Press sources disclosed of the three travelling on the vehicle along the said road after attending a meeting convened under the sponsorship of the armed organisation whose activities and movement within the State is officially not entertained despite the ceasefire agreement with the Centre.

Police sources on the other hand, revealed of the three NSCN (IM) activists brought and interrogated at Imphal after which they were handed back to police station concerned.

Attempts to extract exact location of the police station from the police source proved futile.

It may be mentioned that state police personnel had arrested 13 activists of the NSCN (IM) including some high ranking 'officials' from Kangpokpi area on october 6, 2003 but were released by the State Government following instructions from the Central authorities.

The release after arrest with arms had raised hue and cry from various social organisations of the State demanding explanation from the Government on status of ceasefire in the State on ground that no FIR case were filed against the Naga rebel delegate.

The deal struck between the then BJP-led NDA Government and the State authorities for release of the arrested IM activists, as reported, cited strong reprimanding by the then Central authorities to the outfit's leaders 'to restrain its cadres by confining them to their camps or face action by security forces for violation of the mutually-agreed ceasefire'.

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