Itanagar, May 9 : Arunachal Pradesh Police have dismantled a cross-border militant recruitment and arms trafficking network linked to the self-styled Nationalist Social Council for Taniland (NSCT) and its armed wing, the United Tani Army (UTA). Four individuals have been arrested, and illegal weapons, ammunition, and narcotics have been seized.
Capital Superintendent of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh said the operation began on 8 January following the circulation of a video featuring UTA chairman Anthony Doke. Initial arrests included Tana Hasu and Techi Bidu, who were allegedly involved in recruiting youths from marginalised communities by luring them with false promises.
Bidu, a resident of the Tarasso area, was reportedly taken across the international border on the pretext of becoming a YouTuber and was given tactical training. “The goal was to send trained individuals back to Arunachal to extort money and destabilise public order,” the SP said.
Police investigations revealed that three youths had already been trafficked under similar pretences. Two of them later returned and reported torture and psychological abuse during their forced training.
An illegal firearm, believed to have been handed over by Anthony Doke, was recovered from Tana Hasu. During further operations on 30 April, police arrested Biro Gumja Tamin, allegedly linked to the NSCN (K-YA), who was accused of extorting contractors to fund insurgent activities. A foreign-made pistol and a large cache of ammunition were seized from him.
Tamin’s interrogation reportedly exposed a structured arms trafficking network operating out of Itanagar with links to insurgent groups in Nagaland.
Police later arrested Tapa Nungnu, another suspect, and recovered two more foreign-made firearms, illegal ammunition, an unlicensed weapon, and cash suspected to be from illicit arms deals.
A case has been registered at the Itanagar Police Station under Sections 111(2)(b)/(3)/(6) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Sections 25(1)(1B)(a)/27(1) of the Arms Act.
Further investigation also uncovered links to a narcotics network in the Gohpur–Chimpu corridor. A separate case has been registered under the NDPS Act at Chimpu Police Station, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of narcotics.
