NIA chargesheet links looted arms to violence
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 14 2024:
In a recent development, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed chargesheet in a case related to the ongoing violence in Manipur, uncovering a connection between looted arms and targeted attacks against the Kuki community.
According to a report published by The Wire, investigation in the case revealed a correlation between arms looted during raids on police armouries and those recovered from individuals suspected of involved in the violence.
The chargesheet also highlighted conduct of "weapons training camps" by members of a proscribed insurgent group, allegedly with the intention of carrying out violence against Kuki-Zo community members.
The Wire cited the arrest of Moirangthem Anand Singh, identified by the NIA as a cadre of People's Liberation Army (PLA), in connection with the case with reference to his participation in a weapons training camp organised by PLA cadres Oken Singh and Yaiphapa during the period of unrest in Manipur.
The report also referred to forensic findings linking arms seized by Manipur police to those looted from police stations in the valley areas during the violence.
Notably, three out of the four arms seized from the accused were identified as looted from various government sources, including the armouries of 7th Battalion Manipur Rifles and Manipur Police Training Centre.
Furthermore, the report mentioned arrest of Seiminlun Gangte, a member of Kuki community, in connection with a SUV blast case in Bishnupur district targeting crucial transport link for Meetei community.
The NIA's actions had stirred controversy, with Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Front (ITLF), a group actively spearheading the violence from Kuki side, accusing the agency of "high-handedness", an allegation vehemently denied by NIA.