Grip tightens on Kwakta blast case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2024: The Kwakta SUV IED blast case of 2023 has been transferred to the NIA Court Guwahati.

The powerful IED blast on a bridge/culvert on Tiddim road between Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta occurred on June 21, 2023 .

The blast carried out by Kuki militants injured 3 persons including two minors.

The case was handed to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Special Court NIA Manipur was hearing the case before the transfer to NIA Guwahati yesterday.

Following investigation, the NIA had arrested three persons including two prime accused persons Md Noor Hussain alias Tomba (37), s/o (L) Md Babu of Kwakta Ward No 8 and Seiminlun Gangte (42), s/o (L) Paokhokai Gangte of Phaikholum J Muntha, Churachandpur district.

The transfer of the case to Special Court NIA Guwahati came as per a Supreme Court judgement order on November 26 allowing transfer of 8 criminal cases from the Special Court NIA Manipur to Special Court NIA Guwahati.

Yesterday, accused Md Noor Hussain was produced before the Court of the Special Judge NIA Manipur from Central Jail Sajiwa, while Seiminlun Gangte (42) was produced virtually from Tihar Jail, New Delhi.

During the hearing, Special PP of the NIA submitted that the Supreme Court on November 26 last allowed the transfer of 8 criminal cases pending before the NIA Special Court Manipur to the NIA Special Court, Guwahati.

The Court on perusal of the judgement order of the Supreme Court, gave direction for transfer of case records and materials to the Special Court NIA Guwahati on or before December 16 .

Notably, the NIA had framed charges against the accused persons in July 2024 for trial and chargesheet was filed under Section 4 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, Section 120B, 326, 307, 435 IPC and Section 16 and 18UA(P) Act, 1967, Section 3 of Explosives Substances Act.

Initially, Phougakchao Ikhai Police had registered an FIR before the NIA took over the case last year.

During the course of the investigation, the NIA first identified Seiminlun Gangte alias Minlun and Md Noor Hussain alias Tomba alias Nur Hassan as suspects.

On October 16, 2023, Md Noor Hussain was arrested from Badripur Part IV, Silchar, Cachar district, Assam, and brought to Imphal.

Investigation then revealed involvement of one more suspect identified as Md Islauddin.

Md Islauddin was allegedly present when Md Noor Hussain met with Seiminlun Gangte for conducting reconnaissance to execute the blast.

He also helped Noor Hussain and one Lunminlal Gangte alias Min escape after the blast.

Md Islauddin was arrested October 19, 2023 .

He gave his confessional statement before the Magistrate, and later he was declared an approver in the case.

An approver is a former accused who is granted a pardon by the Court in exchange for testimony against other accused persons.

Further investigation into the case led to the arrest of Seiminlun Gangte on September 30, 2023 from Churachandpur.

NIA investigation revealed that Seiminlun Gangte was in contact with leaders of terrorist organisations and collaborating with them to carry out terror attacks and wage war against the Government of India by exploiting the Manipur conflict.

Seiminlun Gangte used his mobile number registered in his name to contact one S Khalian alias Khalianbawi, who is a mid ranking member of ZRA (Zomi Revolutionary Army).

Khalian met with Seiminlun Gangte at Kangvai Camp in the last week of May 2023, and together, they conspired with Paulunlan Vaiphei alias Lun and others to blow up the bridge on Tiddim Road at Kwakta, Bishnupur to strike terror and cut off movement of security personnel, people and supply of commodities, revealed the NIA investigation.

The chargesheet NIA filed claimed that Seiminlun Gangte and others conspired to recruit a local for conducting reconnaissance of the area and for assistance in blowing up the bridge.

S Khalian facilitated training of the recruited people in handling IED and provided a vehicle, explosives and other necessary materials and logistics for executing the blast.

Seiminlun Gangte handled the recruited accomplices and coordinated with them to eventually carry out the blast on the bridge on Tiddim Road.

The investigation revealed that on June 21, 2023, under the direction of Khalian Seiminlun Gangte and others, Lunminlal Gangte drove the IED laden Mahindra Scorpio from Kangvai Camp to Ukhatampak area, where Md Noor Hussain and Md Islauddin Khan were waiting on a scooty.

The three met near a Masjid in Ukhatampak.

Lunminlal Gangte came wearing a Kurta Pyjama and Md Noor Hussain being a local drove the IED laden vehicle past the Assam Rifles checkpoint without suspicion.

Md Islauddin followed the vehicle in a scooty.

Md Noor Hussain then parked the vehicle on the western side of the bridge and Lunminlal Gangte triggered the detonating mechanism.

Md Islauddin, who was following the IED laden vehicle on a scooty, escorted Lunminlal Gangte and Md Noor Hussain to safety.

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