Send tampered guns to Ishapore: NIA Judge
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01 2020:
Special Judge NIA Manipur has directed the NIA (National Investigation Agency) to send 4 tampered pistols to a rifle factory in order to find out their real body number in connection with the 2nd MR arms missing case.
The agency had prayed the Court to allow the agency to send the tampered pistols to Ishapore (Rifle Factory), West Bengal for examination and identification.
During the hearing today, the NIA Court directed the agency to complete the procedure for sending the 4 tampered pistols and submit its report within a period of 30 days.
Defense Counsel of accused persons in the arms missing case, Laishram Anilkumar of Sangaiporou Mamang Leikai.
Paonam Shantikumar of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi Ningthoujam Leikai, Mathurabashimayum Hiranjoy Sharma alias Laishram Damudor of Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi had filed written objection to the application filed by the NIA.
It may be noted that fifty six 9 mm pistols and 58 magazines were found missing from the DGP Pool Kote located at 2nd Manipur Rifles premises between 2014 and 2018.Charges were framed against 11 accused persons on October 26 .
During the hearing today, the Special Public Prosecutor submitted that during the course of investigation and custodial interrogation of accused, David Hangshing, 37, self styled chairman, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), six 9 mm pistols suspected to be some of which went missing were recovered from a bus stand located at Pukhao Laipham, Sagolmang PS, Imphal East on August 24, 2018 .
A search was also conducted at the Mantripukhri house of accused Lhunkhoson Haokip alias Soson alias SS Haokip, 47, self styled, chairman, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and nine 9 mm pistols, which were "some of the missing arms" were recovered on August 23, 2018 .
The 15 seized pistols were sent to the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory), Pangei for further verification & identification as the body number of four 9 mm pistols could not be recovered.
The FSL, Pangei had furnished its report on January 16, 2019 stating the body number of the four pistols could not be recovered.
A total number of 570 auto 9 mm pistols were delivered by Ishapore to Manipur Police between 2013 and 2014 .
The four tampered pistols be sent to the factory for verification of their serial numbers to complete the investigation and trial of the case, submitted the Special PP.
The Court after hearing the submission of both Special PP and defense counsel allowed the NIA prayer and directed the agency to send the four tampered pistols to Ishapore for examination of the body (serial) numbers.
The trial will continue while awaiting the report of examination, the Court said.