NIA submits charge sheet
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 27 2018: National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted charge sheet against the people involved in the arms missing case from the 2nd Manipur Rifles arms kote, before the Special Court NIA Manipur on September 25.The Chief Investigating Officer of the case, Bibekanand Das (NIA, Guwahati, Imphal Camp) submitted the charge sheet against those who were arrested and lodged in judicial custody in connection with the case after the completion of the investigation.

The charge sheet is likely to be put up before the Court within a short period of time for consideration of the trial against the accused.

It may be mentioned that after the investigation of the case was handed over to the NIA on May 31 this year, NIA re-registered an FIR at NIA Guwahati the next day (June 1) for investigation of the case which pertains to theft of 56 pistols and 58 magazine from the DG pool armoury located within the premises of 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles and the investigation began from the next day onward.

During the course of the investigation, NIA formally arrested seven individuals who were in judicial custody remand in connection with the case, after taking necessary permission from the Court on June 21.It was also established that the arms went missing from 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles arms kote in between 2016 and the early part of 2017.As a follow up action, NIA carried out two days continuous raid at the residence of Saikul Congress MLA, Yamthong Haokip, at Mantripukri on July 30 and July 31 and recovered Rs 26.40 lakh (in cash), gold ornaments worth Rs 20 lakh, one 9 mm pistol (which was one of those which went missing), one Berreta pistol, one unregistered 9 mm pistol Berretta Gardone, one DBBL gun, one single barrel gun and some ammunition.

During the raid, Thokchom Diamond (driver of MLA Yamthong Haokip) was arrested by the NIA team and during the police custody period, NIA took Diamond along with them and visited the residence of Saitu A/C MLA Ngamthang Haokip at Sanjenthong Official Quarters as well as the MLA's private residence at Pureiromba Khongnangkhong on August 2 and 3.Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip was arrested by an NIA team in the late part of August in connection and is presently lodged in judicial custody under medical observation at JN1MS security ward.

As a follow up action and in continuation of the raid carried out at the residence of Ngamthang Haokip, NIA team, on August 25, arrested David Hangsing (son in-law of the Saitu AC MLA), chairman of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), a group which is under suspension of operation pact with the State and the Union Governments.

During his police custody period, NIA was able to recover 6 more missing pistols from the KRA chief NIA, since the beginning of the case, has arrested 12 persons and have been able to recover 20 of the missing arms till date.

The individuals arrested by the NIA in connection with the case includes MLA Yamthong Haokip, KRA chief David Hangsing, Thokchom Diamond Laishram Anil Kumar Laishram Damudor alias Thembung, Haobam Brojendro, Ngamboi Haokip alias Raju, Paonam Shantikumar, Mathurabashimayum Hiranjoy Sharma alias Ngoubi, Narayan Chhetry and Nellikattil Podiyan Damodaran.

It may also be mentioned that the missing of arms and ammunition came to light after P Manjit, CO, 2nd MR, lodged a written complaint before Imphal PS stating that after assuming charge of Commandant, he formed a committee on February 8 to examine the present holding of arms and ammunition of the unit and the well-guarded arms kote (PHQs Pool).

The complaint further mentioned that in late part of February, the committee submitted its preliminary report which mentioned that 56 number of 9 mm pistols along with 58 magazines, out of 570 number of 9 mm pistols, received from PHQs on September 11, 2014, were found missing.

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