Guwahati, February 18
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen, a senior leader of the ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF), was today detained in Wokha district of the poll-bound state after he was found carrying Rs 1.10 crore in cash and a huge cache of arms and ammunition in the vehicle he was travelling in.

Wokha District Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Vyasan R said Imchen was apprehended by personnel from 17 Assam Rifles on the Kohima-Mokokchung Road just after his vehicle had entered Wokha district.

“According to the report submitted by Assam Rifles, Imchen was found carrying Rs 1.10 crore in cash, five 7.65 pistols with five magazines and 80 rounds of ammunition, two .303 rifles with two magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition. The minister has been taken in police custody. Wokha Superintendent of Police has been asked to file an FIR in this connection,” the official said.

Imchen was going to his constituency Koridanga in Mokokchung district from the state capital Kohima when Assam Rifles personnel conducting searches of vehicles near Wokha district found the arms and ammunition and cash in his vehicle.

The Assam Rifles personnel handed him over to the district administration and police.

Imchen is Nagaland People's Front (NPF) candidate from Koridang and is also the NPF campaign in charge of Mokokchung district. The NPF has put up 10 candidates in Mokokchung district. He has been representing Koridang constituency in Nagaland Assembly since 2003.

On February 16, an Election Commission surveillance team had seized Rs 1 crore cash from a helicopter allegedly being used by a candidate of the Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF). The helicopter was allegedly hired to ferry Nyemli Phom, who is contesting the Assembly polls from a constituency in Longleng district.