<span style="color: #222222;">Nagaland has been witnessing rise in criminal activities particularly extortion cases for the past few weeks. Taking into account such cases particularly in Kohima and Dimapur, Inspector of Police, IGP Range, Nagaland, Limasunep Jamir said that Nagaland Police assured the citizens that it will continue to carry out its mandated duty of anti-extortion drive irrespective of various UG groups, over grown sympathizers, anti social elements masquerading or taking the names of various UG groups.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said with the phase wise relaxation of the lockdown, there are also apprehensions on increase in extortion activities by various underground factions and anti social element in the state. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing media persons at Kohima today, Jamir said a total of 893 criminal cases have been registered and 1,238 persons of various underground factions were arrested during the last five years by the Nagaland Police and Assam Rifles. He said the cases against the various underground have been registered for their involvement in various crimes like violation of Arms Act, Explosive Acts, murder, offence against the state, abduction and kidnapping for ransom, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, NSR, Extortion and Robbery.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Jamir said, out of the total cases registered against the various factions, the extortion related cases makes up the majority of the offences. The IGP informed that in Dimapur alone, 507 cases have been registered against extortionists in the last five years and a total of 723 extortionists were arrested. While, in Kohima, 72 cases have been registered and 96 extortionists have been arrested.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Highlighting on the challenges and issues faced by the Police in dealing with extortions, Jamir informed that more than 95 percent of the cases relating to extortions are registered suo-motu since no formal complaints are lodged by the aggrieved party.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The IGP therefore appealed to all citizens to be more forthcoming with criminal complaints and take it as a duty to assist the police in tackling the menace of extortion activities in the state.</span><br />''