Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 27

India today asked Pakistan for a certificate on the health condition of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been awarded death sentence by a military court in Islamabad after it found him guilty of espionage.Expressing concern over the wellbeing of Jadhav, the Ministry of External Affairs said since Jadhav had been in Pakistan’s custody for over a year now, India was anxious to know his wellbeing.Only yesterday, India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale met the Pakistan foreign secretary for the 16th time and sought consular access to Jadhav. “We have asked Pakistani government earlier also, and yesterday our High Commissioner (to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale) made a request on providing a report on his medical condition. So we await Pakistan’s response,” MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said today.Baglay also said the government was yet to receive a copy of the charge sheet against Jadhav, and did not even know who had defended him in the military court that sentenced him the death sentence.Denying consular access to Jadhav, Pakistan has consistently stuck to the line that the Indian national is a spy arrested by the Pakistan military from the restive Baluchistan area. India, while accepting the fact that Jadhav is indeed a former Indian Naval officer, has denied the charges of him being a spy.Islamabad says no to 26/11 reinvestigationPakistan has told India that a reinvestigation of the Mumbai attack case was “not possible” as the trial was at an advanced stage and demanded “concrete” evidence against Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of 26/11 assault, for putting him on trial “All proceedings (in the case) have been finalised except recording of 24 Indian witnesses’ statements… if India wants conclusion of the case, it should send witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements, a senior official of the Pakistan interior ministry said

3 Naga officials in NIA net for funding terror

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, April 27

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three Nagaland Government officials for alleged involvement in large-scale extortion and illegal tax collection on behalf of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) from various government agencies in the state.The funds were being siphoned off to armed militant groups in connivance with a section of government officials in the hill state.The NIA today said the three government officials were Tulula Pongen, joint director, Nagaland’s Social Welfare Department; Alienba Pangjung Jamir, joint director, Nagaland’s Land Resources Department; and K Lashito Sheqi, cashier, Department of Land Resources.They money was being extorted on behalf of NSCN (K) from various government organisations and others by NSCN (K) cadres in Dimapur and Kohima areas under direction of self-styled brigadier Isac Sumi (A-3) of NSCN (K) and other senior leaders.The accused allegedly provided substantial amount to the NSCN (K) by way of contributing government funds to the banned outfit by misusing their official capacity and position, thereby supporting the NSCN (K) in furtherance of its unlawful activities, the NIA said.They were also allegedly involved in paying huge sums of money to various other underground rebel groups of Nagaland factions such as NSCN (Reconciliation), Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), Naga National Council (NNC) and others.This was revealed during the scrutiny of the documents, including demand letters and payment receipts, seized during the search operation carried out by the NIA in 13 government offices on January 18.