The sketch of John Mizo prepared by the NIA. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, June 16: The National Investigation Agency has turned to the public for information on a mystery man who was at the heart of the arms supply network of the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel).

The investigation agency today released a sketch of John Mizo, a “notorious” gunrunner, and sought help from the people since security agencies have little information about him.

“If anybody has any information about him, they are requested to immediately contact the NIA. Information could be passed to NIA superintendent of police Mukesh Singh on phone number 09654409233,” a police source said.

He said besides the DHD (J), Mizo is suspected to be supplying arms and ammunition to other militant outfits of the Northeast as well.

Mizo, who hails from Mizoram, generally operates from areas bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

“At times, he also operates from southern Assam, Mizoram and Tripura. Mizo’s arrest holds the key to cracking the entire network of arms supply to the militants in the northeastern region,” the source said.

According to him, the NIA has prepared the sketch on the basis of Mizo’s description given by Jewel Garlosa and other members of the DHD (J) during interrogation by NIA officials.

The DHD (J) was smuggling in arms and ammunitions through gunrunners like Mizo through Mizoram’s porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

“Sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, Mizoram’s international border areas are conduits for arms smugglers. Mizoram’s 480-km porous border with Myanmar and 318-km border with Bangladesh makes it the perfect choice for smugglers and arms dealers to move in weapons from China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand,” the police source said.

Jewel Gorlosa had developed a well-organised supply chain for smuggling arms and ammunition from Bangladesh and Myanmar to North Cachar Hills through Cachar district in Assam and neighbouring Mizoram.

In July last year, Mizoram police seized a huge cache of arms which were meant for the DHD (J) and arrested a Myanmarese national, Lal Liana, 40, from Tiddim town in Myanmar. Liana is a member of the Kuki-Chin tribe — kinsfolk of the Mizos.

The police intercepted Liana’s arms-laden truck at Champai on the Indo-Myanmar border.

“Despite Assam Rifles guarding the international border, illegal movement of arms and ammunitions still continues,” the police officer said.

Earlier, former chief executive member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Mohit Hojai, and liaison officer of the council, R.H. Khan, had revealed that 10 per cent of the development funds allocated to the council were diverted to militant coffers.

“A large chunk of the money went to the DHD (J), which was used by the militant outfit to procure arms and ammunition and to fund the extravagant lifestyle of its leaders,” a source said.

Hojai was arrested on the basis of confessions made by Brojen Hojai and Babul Kemprai, who were arrested from Jorabat with Rs 1 crore.

Brojen and Babul reportedly told the police that Hojai had given them the money to hand it over to an arms dealer for procurement of arms and ammunition for the DHD (J).