Imchen’s candidature will not be affected

Developments will not affect Imchen’s candidature in the February 23 polls

Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen, arrested after arms and cash worth Rs. 1.1 crore were recovered from the vehicle in which he was travelling, has tendered his resignation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, officials said here on Tuesday. Governor Nikhil Kumar accepted his resignation in the evening.

Mr. Imchen had submitted his resignation to Mr. Rio late on Monday evening. In his resignation letter, he said that he was carrying the money that he had collected from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) central office for election purposes.

However, he wasn’t aware that there were any arms or ammunition in his vehicle, Mr. Rio’s press secretary Mehta told

The Hindu .

“He [Mr. Imchen] has been produced in court and he has been remanded in police custody for 24 hours,” Chief Electoral Officer J. Alam said.

In a written statement, Mr. Imchen said: “Under the given circumstances, I feel [it is] imperative to tender my resignation from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, owning moral responsibility while holding public office, even though I have committed no wrong regarding this incident under the law.”

However, the developments will have no bearing on Mr. Imchen’s candidature in the February 23 polls.