NIA takes over probe into arms looting from IRB camp
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 19 2025: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the investigation into the looting of arms and ammunition from the 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp at Chingarel Tezpur in Imphal East district.

The incident occurred on the night of February 13, 2024, when a mob, reportedly made up mostly of youths, stormed the IRB camp under the jurisdiction of Lamlai police station and forcibly seized a cache of weapons.

The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, with reports of an exchange of fire between the mob and security personnel.

Following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA has re-registered the case, which was initially filed by Lamlai police under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The central agency has also moved the NIA Court in Manipur, seeking directions to Lamlai police to hand over all case docu ments and seized exhibits to its investigating officer.

Earlier, on February 19, 2024, the Manipur government ordered a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The inquiry was expected to submit its report within 30 days.

So far, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the looting, while seven IRB personnel were suspended over the security lapse.

Authorities have recovered several looted items, including four INSAS rifles, one AK Ghatak 2 rifle, SLR magazines, and sixteen boxes of 9mm ammunition.

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