Plot to hijack plane at Mizoram unearthed

AIZAWL, FEB 22: A plot to hijack a plane from Lengpui airport, near here, toforce the release of NSCNI-M leader T H Muivah, jailed in Thailand, wasunearthed by Mizoram police, Aizawl Superintendent of Police said onTuesday. Muivah was arrested in Thailand recently and jailed for travellingwith fake travel documents.

Lengpui airport security officials arrested on February 15 K Ranju Rangan,who claimed he was a director in the Civil Aviation Ministry and was thereto inspect the airport, Aizawl SP Zorammawia said. After interrogation,Rangan revealed that his identity card was fake, the SP said. Rangan alsoconfessed that he had been sent by NSCNI-M men in New Delhi to explore thepossibility of hijacking a plane from Mizoram.

quot;The alleged motive of the NSCNI-M was to exchange hijacked passengers toseek Muivah8217;s freedom,quot; Zorammawia said.

Mizoram police on Tuesday registered criminal cases against Rangan underprovisions of Anti-Hijacking Act, Official Secrets Act and Sections ofIndian Penal Code, he said. Further investigations are on.