One tax imposter, who was held by the NSCN (I-M) recently, was handed over to his family in Tamenglong HQ on November 9 following his confession and statement that he would not commit the crime again.
The imposter, who was collecting tax in the name of NSCN (I-M), was caught by the organisation, while the main culprit escaped, on the NH-37 along Imphal-Jiribam road at Sibilong village under Tousem Sub division in Tamenglong district, Manipur on 22 October.
The imposter has been identified as one 23-year-old Bisworjit Chongtham alias Ngamba, son of late Bidya Chongtham and Ibecha of Tekcham Mayai Leikai Khongjom Thoubal. The tax impostor who escaped is one Irengbam Sunil Meitei of Ngairangbam Awang Maning Leikai Imphal West.
Bisworjit Chongtham was paraded before the media persons in Tamenglong district headquarter. He confessed that he and his friend Irengbam Sunil Meitei had collected tax in the name of NSCN (I-M) from trucks plying on the Imphal-Jiribam road.
He thanked the NSCN (I-M) for sparing his life and said that he would never commit such blunder in his life again.
Bisworjit Chongtham narrated that they started collecting money from truckers on their way to Jiribam. On the insistence of his friend Irengbam Sunil Meitei, they planned to plant water melon farm at the Irengbam Sunil Meitei farm.
After collecting huge amount of money they went to Jiribam and bought bananas to sell in Imphal. They hired one cruiser to carry to Imphal. They left the bananas to the mother of his friend Irengbam Sunil Meitei who sold vegetables in the market.
The next day, they together with the hired cruiser went back to Jiribam. However he and Sunil got down at Sibilong village in the middle of the forest. They slept in the jungle on the river bank and ate biscuits and bread they brought from Imphal, he stated.
Bisworjit Chongtham said that they were caught red handed, however his friend managed to escaped on seeing him arrested.
An NSCN (I-M) spokesman strongly condemned the two imposters. However, when Bisworjit Chongtham confessed that he would never commit such activity, he was handed over to the family members in good faith.
The outfit had advised him not to repeat such extortion activity in the name of NSCN (I-M) again in the future.
Appealing all not to extort any money in the name of NSCN (I-M), he said the organisation gets maximum blame as it dwells in the hill districts.
