Eleven days into the tussle for power between rival NPF group led by G Kaito Aye and backed by Nagaland MP (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio and chief minister T R Zeliang backed by NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie, the political fight has become more personal with the NPF(Kaito group) making serious allegations of money laundering against the chief minister through “illegal international money transfers” to the tune of Rs. 78.66 crore and Dr. Shürhozelie supporting the “exchange of enormous amounts of black money”.
This startling revelation was made in a joint statement issued NPF president (Kaito group) Noke Wangnao and the legislature party leader Kaito Aye which handed to the media by secretary general(Kaito group) Abu Metha, Thursday here at Sovima villa.
The members of the group however, refused to take any questions from the media.
The documents given to media, revealed that an amount of 70, 00, 000 (Singapore Dollars) was transferred to the recipient – T R Zeliang on August 16, 2014 in Royal Bank of Canada (Hong Kong) by a sender, named Ramasamy Veeran.
Also another amount of 1, 00, 08,500 (Singapore dollars) was shown as transferred to the account of T.R. Zeliang’s wife, Kevizenuo Rangkau, on September 26, 2014, on account or IBAN number 7200078652341677 in RHB Bank BHD. The sender’s name as mentioned was Raguvaran Murali, having account number 307682342516 and the sender’s contact person named as Ramasamy Veeran, with contact number 00622183793105.
Noke Wangnao (president) and G. Kaito Aye (legislature party leader) claimed that the first transaction in Indian currency (as per current exchange rate) amounted to Rs. 32, 37, 50, 000 while the second transaction amounted to Rs. 46, 28, 93, 125. The second transaction was purportedly verified and signed by one Chang Leo, said to be the present assistant vice president of the bank.
In another document, the details of “discussions and conversations” were done through an international roaming number 90068916 (service provider Star Hub, a Singapore based telecommunication company) registered in the name of T.R. Zeliang. In the document, T.R.Zeliang’s address in Singapore was mentioned as- Loffi Apartment, 1st Floor, No. 3 Dickson Road, Singapore-209530. The itemized call details with the time and dates of the phone calls made were also mentioned.
Noke and Kaito claimed that the “illegal money” were used to “lure MLAs and party workers” to favour Zeliang . They also accused a “syndicate of few ministers and politicians” of secretly running the affairs of the state and “making unbelievable amounts of money for their personal gains”.
The two accused the syndicate of “selling the state and the rights of the Naga people” and carrying out international money transfers and “moving black money which is being kept in foreign bank accounts”.
They said transfer and movement of black money was not only illegal but also a direct admission of corruption besides a threat on national security of the nation.
The two leaders also said the matter should be investigated by competent authorities of the country so that those responsible werr punished as per the law of the land.
They have demanded the immediate removal of T.R.Zeliang as chief minister since the “ shocking revelations” and his involvement in “corruption and transferring of black money” has been made public.
The two also claimed that the exposure was over and above the fact that Zeliang has lost the majority of NPF and DAN MLAs.
Further, they asked legislators “under confinement” and not involved in these illegal kickbacks” to judge such actions for themselves and “denounce this sell-out vehemently”.
Taking a dig at Zeliang, the signatories maintained that he was not only a “minority chief minister” but also a chief minister who has been “selling Nagaland and the rights of the Naga people for his own personal gains”.
Both Noke and Kaito also claimed they still have “several more revelations” to be brought on public domain on how Zeliang was involved in “high corruption” and how he has been releasing hundreds of crores as payments to selected contractors for his self gain.
They said while Zeliang has been harping of the state’s deficit and financial crisis, he continued to release funds wherever he benefitted.
They alleged, that within just a few months, the chief minister accumulated hundreds of crores and was solely concentrated on making money, as he knew from the first day he became chief minister, that his days were numbered.
The two also alleged that Zeliang had been clearing dozens of files everyday and making “crores and crores” of payments under “illegal circumstances” while “keeping all his few MLAs and ministers under forced confinement” at de Oriental Grand Hotel, Kohima.
They also pointed out that ministers, parliamentary secretaries, advisers and chairmen supporting Kaito Aye had tendered their resignations against the “illegal, unconstitutional and dictatorial orders of the erstwhile NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie” and because T.R.Zeliang was “now in the clear minority”.
However, they said though Zeliang had not accepted the resignations, he was “misusing his position” to clear files of the departments held by the former ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
The two leaders assured the people of Nagaland that they will fix responsibility and punish Zeliang as per the law of the land once a “popular government” was installed in the state.
Further, they warned that any bureaucrat or politician who obeyed the “illegal instructions of the minority chief minister” would be held responsible for their actions.
On the chief minister’s recent meeting with government officers and bureaucrats, the duo said the meeting was to “justify his embarrassing loss of confidence by the elected members” and a “clear sign” of Zeliang’s inability and present minority position.
They accused Zeliang of not only demeaning the office of the chief minister but also bringing disrepute to the entire establishment by carrying out an “immature and childish action”.
The brief press meet was also attended by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs -Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi-respectively.
CM rubbishes allegations
Meanwhile, Nagaland chief minister T R Zeliang has rubbished the allegations made against him by the rival NPF group and strongly denied that he has “even a single paisa stashed abroad or any account in foreign banks”.
Talking to Nagaland Post over phone Thursday evening, Zeliang challenged the rival NPF group to substantiate their allegations with genuine documents, failing which, he has threatened to file a defamation suit against those making the allegation.
The chief minister asserted that the rival group had made the false allegation purely out of “desperation” but reiterated, that he would welcome any investigation by central agencies.
Zeliang denied having any property or bank account abroad but said such allegations would open the window for probes to unearth the truth even involving that of “somebody else”. He said in order to expose the truth, “I honestly welcome these allegations in the interest of the Nagas and the country”.
Zeliang pointed out that the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made ‘black money’ stashed in abroad and corruption as an important agenda.
He said the allegations against him has opened the window that would shed light on others who have properties and bank accounts within and outside the country. The chief minister said after trying to fool the Nagas, the rival group was taking the game beyond the state since they (rivals) have “no ground to play”. Zeliang said he believed the ‘black money allegation’ was a “very sophisticated handiwork” that was made since the rivals have run out of options and have used “this last bullet which will hit no target”.
Thursday, February 19, 2026