Arunachal Pradesh Police has issued a “Wanted” notice for self-styled brigadier of the NSCN-K (YA), Tonglu Akham Hasik for his involvement in the murder of former MLA Yumsen Matey who was shot dead on December 16 at Raho Village in Tirap district.

A cash reward of Rs 2.5 lakh has been announced for anyone who provides information about the whereabouts of the insurgent. The Police has assured that the identity of the informant would be kept secret.

In a statement released on 27th December 2023, NSCN-K (YA) took responsibility for the assassination. “Yumsen Matey has been awarded capital punishment on 16/12/2023 due to his active involvement in all sorts of anti-NSCN activities”, the group stated. It said that Lt. Matey had been “found guilty of masterminding Anti-NSCN propagandas and slogans in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh” and committed “treason to his own people and to the ongoing Naga national struggle” by conspiring against the NSCN/GPRN.

NSCN-K (YA) also said that it had exercised “maximum patience by overlooking his misdeeds”, however, his continued “illegal activities” had “compelled” the group to take the extreme step. The group further warned that “such individuals with anti-naga characters cannot be tolerated and will not be spared even in the days to come.”

It also said that the case was not related to the ensuing State Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Government has already requested the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case.