Further remand for KRA chief
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 27 2018:
David Hangsing, self-styled chairman of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), who was arrested in connection with the arms missing case from 2nd Manipur Rifles Arms Kote, was produced before the Special Court NIA and remanded to 9 days further custody for necessary custodial interrogation in connection with the case.
The Court also fixed the hearing of the bail application of the arrested KRA chairman on September 4.David Hangsing (37) s/o (L) Lalpao Hangsing of Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, was produced by a team of NIA Guwahati Imphal Camp, along with prayer by the Chief Investigating Officer, Bibekanand Das IPS, SP, NIA Guwahati Imphal Camp, for 10 more days custodial remand.
On the other hand, the counsel of accused David Hangsing filed a remand objection along with an application for releasing the accused on bail.
During the hearing, the 10 of the case submitted that the accused was arrested on August 24 (at around 3.45 pm) in connection with the case and was taken into police custody remand for three days till today after he was produced before the Duty Magistrate Imphal West on August 25 .
It was submitted that during the course of investigation and custodial interrogation of some other accused individuals arrested in connection with the case, it was found that Th James alias Tonao had delivered consignments of 9 mm pistols to Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip and others through one of the accused Thokchom Diamond who is also in judicial custody.
On the basis of the revelation, a search was conducted at the MLA's residence at Mantripkuri on July 30 and five arms, including one pistol among the 56 missing pistols were seized.
The Special PP further submitted that during the examination of Yamthong Haokip, it was ascertained that he had given some pistols to David Hangsing, who also happened to be the son in law of Saitu MLA Ngamthang Haokip and mentioned that KRA is presently in Suspension of Operation agreement with the Government.
It was also submitted that despite SoO, David procured the weapons illegally and KRA cadres have been indulging in waging war against the State covertly by undermining democratic process.
A search was conducted at the residence of Saitu MLA Ngamthang Haokip at Government quarter, Officer Colony, Sanjenthong and Phainom Cottage at Chasad Avenue, Sanjenthong, on August 2.During the search operation, several blank letterheads of KRA were recovered and seized.
The recovery and seizure of KRA's letterheads and the discloser of some witnesses as well as arrested individuals have established fact that MLA Ngamthang Haokip and his son in law David Hangsing have knowledge regarding some of the missing pistols of 2nd Manipur Rifle.
It was also submitted that David Hangsing had remained unavailable for investigation in the case for some time but NIA was able to arrest him on August 24.Pointing out that necessary medical examinations of the accused have been conducted the Special PP further submitted that during the custodial interrogation of the accused, six missing 9 mm pistols were recovered from a place in Imphal East district.
Adding that it is highly likely that some more incriminating material could well further be revealed and discovered at the disc loser of the accused, the Special PP stated that further custodial interrogation is highly required and as such prayed for further 10 days police custody remand of the accused.
The Court, after hearing the submission of the Special PP and the counsel of the KRA chairman, expressed satisfaction with the NIA prayer and thus remanded the accused to further 9 days in police custody (till September 4).The Court also fixed the hearing of the bail application filed by David Hangsing through his counsel on the same day as well.
It may be mentioned that NIA, till date, have recovered 20 missing arms from amongst the 56 pistols and 58 magazines which went missing from 2nd Manipur Rifle Arms Kote in between 2016 and 2017.NIA also arrested 12 accused in connection with the case, which include the KRA chairman David Hangsing and MLA Saikul AC Yamthong Haokip.
Comment
