Itanagar, Jan 17: The Arunachal Pradesh Police on Friday firmly rejected claims made by the chief of the United Tani Army (UTA) Anthony Doke, who is a former leader of the banned National Liberation Council of Tani Land (NLCT).
State Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chuku Appa during a press conference here, dismissed Doke’s remarks as a deliberate misinformation campaign intended to mislead the public.
Doke had labeled the arrested individuals as former NLCT members, a claim the police strongly refuted.
Providing details of the arrests, the IGP revealed that the police, acting on targeted intelligence, apprehended Tana Hasi, a resident of Itanagar on Wednesday. The arrest followed the circulation of a video purportedly showing a UTA camp.
“Investigations uncovered Hasi’s deep involvement with UTA activities. He maintained direct connections with senior UTA members and Naga insurgent groups, acting as a crucial link between these organizations and vulnerable youth in Arunachal Pradesh,” Apa said.
According to the IGP, Hasi played an active role in recruiting young individuals for UTA and facilitating their transport to camps operated by banned groups. In one instance, the Capital police intercepted and prevented a young recruit from joining the organization.
Apa also highlighted the misuse of social media and local networks by UTA to manipulate and mislead youth into joining their ranks.
“This case underscores UTA’s ongoing efforts to destabilize peace in the region by exploiting young individuals for violent purposes,” he said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police has appealed to individuals already recruited by UTA, encouraging them to return to their families and communities voluntarily. They assured that no legal action would be taken against those who step forward on their own.
Acknowledging that many recruits may have been misled or coerced, the police pledged to support their reintegration into society and assist in building a better future. They also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, guiding their children away from harmful influences.
Families were also encouraged to report suspicions of recruitment and to support affected youth in seeking help.
Reaffirming their commitment to dismantling recruitment networks like those operated by UTA, the state police called for public vigilance in reporting suspicious activities. They emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding the state’s harmony and protecting its youth from insurgent agendas.
“Arunachal Pradesh, known for its peace and potential, stands united against such threats. Together, the police and citizens are working to build a secure and prosperous future,” the IGP added.