By IANS,
Kohima : Nagaland has announced a reward of Rs.50,000 for information about the leader of the gang involved in circulating counterfeit Indian currency notes in the state, a minister said Monday.
“Any person who can provide detailed information on the ring leader circulating fake notes in Nagaland will be given a cash reward of Rs.50,000,” Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister Kuzholuzo Neinu told IANS on phone.
Moreover, Neinu promised that the identity of the informant will be kept secret.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed serious concern over recovery of fake currency notes in the state and said pushing fake currency is a serious crime which should be dealt with firmly.
Nagaland Police Oct 5 arrested three people who were attempting to deposit counterfeit currency notes with a face value of Rs.45,000 in a State Bank of India branch in Nagaland’s Phek district.
“A case has been filed against the culprits and it must be ensured that severe action is initiated,” Rio said.
Phek district is about 140 km east of Kohima, the state capital of Nagaland.
“We have arrested the depositor Vekhoneyi Chakhesang and two other people but at the moment we would not reveal the identities of the other two accused in the case in order to ensure our investigation is not hampered,” Y.E. Ngullie, the district police chief of Phek, said.
A special investigation team (SIT) headed by Phek Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl SP) Imtimeren is probing the case, he said.
“The SIT is examining the case and how this racket (of counterfeit notes) is spreading in the state. The team will investigate all angles,” Ngullie said.