MNPF cadre sent to judicial custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2022: The Special Judge NIA Manipur has remanded a 20-year-old self styled corporal of Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF) in judicial custody.

The accused, Machukring Zamshim Shimray @ Ningkhan is being tried for his alleged involvement in ambushes on Para Military force.

He was also allegedly involved in the November 13, 2021 ambush at Sialsih village which killed the family of a Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles and four other personnel and injured six others.

Machukring Zamshim Shimray alias Ningkhan hails from New-Cannan Village, Ukhrul.

Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced Rs 4 lakh reward for his arrest.

He was arrested by a combined team of Imphal East Commando, NIA Imphal Branch and 4 Assam Rifles from Yaingangpok Junction on November 5 last.

He was produced before the Court today after the completion of 10 days police custody by a team of NIA Imphal Branch.

The Investigating Officer of the NIA through prosecutor claimed that during custodial interrogation, the accused had accepted his involvement in the ambush on the convoy of 46th Battalion of the Assam Rifles near Behiang village on November 13 last year.

The ambush had killed 7 persons including Commanding Officer Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and son.

6 other personnel were also injured in the ambush.

On the other hand, the defense counsel submitted that the accused has been falsely "branded as an accused" by the NIA in the present case and prayed for his release on bail.

The Court after hearing the submissions, observed that the accusation levelled against the accused was well founded and found no ground to release him on bail at the present stage.

The Court then remanded the accused to judicial custody till November 29.It may be noted that two other accused, a father and son duo - Khamliankhup (58) and Thangkhualian (28) of Jangnuam village Singngat sub-division were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the case in May.

The Special Court NIA had ordered the release of Thangkhualian on bail while rejecting the bail application of his father on September 8 last.

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