Charges framed against Kwakta blast accused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2024: The Special Judge of NIA Manipur has framed charges against two accused in the Kwakta blast case a few days back.

It may be mentioned that three persons were injured in the explosion, triggered by a bomb-fitted Mahindra Scorpio SUV on the culvert located at the adjoining area of Phougaokchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta on June 21 last year.

The charges were framed against accused Md Noor Hussain @ Tomba (37), s/o (L) Md Babu of Kwakta Ward no 8 and Seiminlun Gangte (42), s/o (L) Paokhokai Gangte of J Phaikholum (Muntha), Churachandpur under different Sections Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984; Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Explosives Substances Act, 1908 among others.

Seiminlun Gangte was produced from Tihar Jail virtually while Noor Hussain was produced before the Court from Central Jail, Sajiwa for the charge hearing.

In the chargesheet submitted against the two accused, it was mentioned that Phougakchao Ikhai police registered an FIR on June 21 in connection with the bomb blast.

The case was later taken over by the NIA following the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The names of Seiminlun Gangte and Md Noor Hussain emerged during the course of investigation.

While Noor Hussain, arrested on October 16 last year, was identified as the individual who drove the bomb-fitted Mahindra Scorpio SUV to the targeted bridge, Seiminlun Gangte, arrested on November 2 last year, has been identified as the mastermind behind the plot.

On further investigation, it was revealed that one Md Islauddin was also present during the meeting between Md Noor Hussain and Seiminlun Gangte to execute the blast and Islauddin helped the two accused to escape the area after the explosion.

Md Islauddin was arrested October 19 last year and later he was declared as an approver.

Seiminlun Gangte is also an accused in another case related to a transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against the Government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur.

NIA said that Seiminlun Gangte had also contacted one S Khalian/ Khalianbawi who is a middle ranking member of ZRA.

S Khalian met Seiminlun Gangte in Kangvai Camp in the last week of May and they conspired with one Paulunlan Vaiphe alias Lun and others to recruit people to blow up the bridge at Kwakta, Bishnupur along Tiddim Road and cut off movement of security personnel and people and discontinue supply of commodities.

The chargesheet further said that S Khalian facilitated the training of the recruited people to execute the IED attack at the targeted spot at Kwakta Ward no 7 in Bishnupur.

Further stating that Seiminlun Gangte handled the recruited accomplices and coordinated with them to execute the attack, the NIA continued that one Lunminlal Gangte alias Minmim alias Min drove the IED fitted Mahindra Scorpio from Kangai camp to Ukhatampak area and he met Md Noor Hussain and Md Islauddin Khan near the Masjid at Ukhatampak.

From there (Ukhatampak), Md Noor Hussain drove the vehicle past the Assam Rifles checkpoint without suspicion and Md Islauddin followed him in a scooty some distance away, the NIA said.

Maintaining that Md Noor Hussain parked the vehicle on the western side of the bridge and Lunminlal initiated the detonation mechanism, the NIA said Md Noor Hussain and Lunminlal were extracted from the area by Md Islauddin who was waiting for them in a scooty.

The Special PP of NIA submitted that only prima facie cases need to be established at the time of charge hearing.

Saying that the charges levelled against Seiminlun Gangte and Md Noor Hussain are supported by the confessional statement given by approver Md Islauddin and Call Details Record (CDR), the NIA added that the statements given by witnesses also corroborated the charges.

The Court after hearing the submission of Special PP NIA, defence counsels and on perusal of the charges sheet framed charges against the two accused under different Sections Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984; Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Explosives Substances Act, 1908 among others.

Comment