'Anand arrested in transnational conspiracy case'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 23 2023:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has stated that Moirangthem Anand Singh, who was released on bail by a Court of Special judge on Friday, was re-arrested in a case related to a transnational conspiracy by Myanmar based leadership of militant outfits to wage a war against the Government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur.
In a press release, NIA said that the case was registered suo moto by the agency on July 19, 2023 at New Delhi.
Anand and four others were arrested by Imphal East police on September 16 from Kongba area on various charges including possession of illegal arms and ammunition.
Their arrest sparked public uproar from the day of arrest and the valley districts witnessed forms of agitation until yesterday demanding their unconditional release as they were 'village defence volunteers'.
They were released on bail yesterday by a Court of Special Judge, NIA yesterday before Anand was re-arrested.
The NIA said that investigation of a case (RC 23/2023/NIA/DLI) has revealed that leadership of Myanmar based insurgent groups/proscribed outfits are recruiting Over Ground Workers (OGWs), cadres and sympathisers to augment the strength to carry out attacks on security forces and opposing ethnic groups by exploiting current unrest in Manipur in furtherance of the conspiracy hatched by the said leadership.
For the purpose (to attack security forces and opposing ethnic groups), the said leadership are collecting arms, ammunition and explosives by unlawful means, including plunder and pillage of Government facilities and resources, the NIA said.
The accused (Anand) was brought to New Delhi after his arrest yesterday and produced before the Jurisdictional Court today and the Court has remanded the accused to police custody till September 27.Further investigations into the case are in progress,
NIA added.