NSCN/GPRN-K (Isak-led) has claimed it unearthed a major fake currency racket operating across Nagaland and adjoining states and accused the rival NSCN-K (Khango-Vusshe) ato kilonser Hokato Vusshe of being the chief financier and mastermind.
Briefing reporters on Saturday, MIP secretary of the Isak-led faction, Anoto Swu, informed that their personnel apprehended a woman at Dimapur on August 29 with around Rs. 8 lakh in counterfeit notes. During interrogation, she allegedly confessed that the racket was headed by Vusshe, backed by eight sponsors, many of them based in Guwahati, Itanagar and Nagaon.
Anoto claimed the woman provided technical details of the operation, including the use of portal scan with pen drive, Triple O Water Mark, 88 GSM paper and several chemicals such as sodium chloride, carbon powder and copper powder. He claimed that printing was initially carried out at Vusshe’s farmhouse in Lhotovi village.
He said the racket reportedly had interstate reach, with fake notes circulated in Manipur, Mizoram and Dimapur. According to Swu, Rs. 20 lakh in counterfeit was exchanged for Rs. 15 lakh genuine in Manipur, Rs. 8 lakh for Rs. 3.5 lakh in Mizoram, and Rs. 10 lakh for Rs. 5 lakh in Dimapur. The accused was allegedly paid Rs. 20,000 for printing Rs. 50,000 worth of fake notes, while two associates received Rs. 10,000 each.
Anoto said the woman admitted they could print up to Rs. 1 lakh daily and Rs. 5 lakh weekly. He added the racket had been active since 2023 and had grown into a multi-state operation. Asked about evidence linking Vusshe, Anoto said the allegations were based on the accused’s statement. He added the decision to hand her over to police would rest with higher authorities.
Meanwhile ‘maj.’ Kuputo Ayemi, also present, said the woman was intercepted while attempting to deposit fake notes in a bank.
Isak-led group clarifies
NSCN/GPRN-K led by ‘col.’ (Retd.) Isak Sumi has clarified that it had no intention to malign any Naga political group, particularly the NSCN (Khango) group, in connection with the recent fake currency racket allegations.
In a statement, MIP said that the group initiated an investigation after receiving complaints from duped investors of a currency tripling scheme, during which an agent, Lituna Kiba, was apprehended. Following thorough interrogation, it said an “astounding scam” was unraveled.
It maintained that the scale of the scam necessitated exposure for public awareness and was “not in any manner a conspiracy to implicate Hokato Vusshe or denigrate his person or organisation.”
According to MIP, the confessional statement of the agent itself was evidence of those involved, and the group had no ulterior motive other than exposing the scandal in public interest.