NIA to take over 'Govt in exile' case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 19 2019: The Government of India has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case of Manipur Government in exile named Manipur State Council.

The Manipur State Council is headed by S/S Chief Minister Yambem Biren s/o late Y Thambalngou of Terakhongsangbi Leimaram Leirak, Bishnupur district and S/S External Affairs and Defence Minister Narengbam Samarjit S/O N Jugindro of Tera Toukrakpam Leikai, Imphal West.

Y Biren and N Samarjit announced formation of a Government in exile in London.

The duo made this announcement at a press conference held in London on October 29 this year.

They claimed that they have been granted political asylum in the UK in August this year and that after getting their asylum status in the UK, "the de jure Government is shifted from Manipur to London" .

"We believe that now is the right time to make public the Independent Government of Manipur before the international community and seek recognition.

We call on all the Governments of the sovereign States of the members of the United Nations for their recognition of the de jure and exile Government of Manipur from today onward", Samarjit said.

"The three million Manipuri people want recognition as one of the precious native Nations.

Our attempts to engage with the Indian Government were met with hate and hostilities," they claimed.

They claimed there are "more than 1,528 cases of the extrajudicial killing which are pending before the Supreme Court of India".

The duo claimed the "State of Manipur is a de jure Government formed in Manipur under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 .

It received independence from the British Raj on August 14, 1947.They claimed the sovereign State of Manipur was excluded from India by the Order in Council by his Majesty on 27 December 1946 and the Indian Government annexed the Manipur State of India by violating the Act of 1949".However, Leishemba Sanajaoba, the king of Manipur on Tuesday issued a statement distancing himself from the Government in-exile.

In a statement, he said he was made to sign some documents by these representatives on the pretext of acquiring some Manipur-related documents and pictures from London, adding that he was unaware of the declaration.

The State Government registered an FIR at Lamphel police station on October 30 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code against Yambem Biren and Narengbam Samarjit for their prejudicial activities like waging war against the State, sedition, promoting disharmony, enmity or feelings of hatred among different groups etc by declaring independence of Manipur from the Union of India.

Taking serious note of the offence committed by the duo and its National and international linkages, the Government of India decided that the case demands investigation by NIA.

Subsequently, Under Secretary to the Government of India Dharmender Kumar issued an order today under the National Investigation Agency Act 2008 directing NIA to investigate the case of the Manipur Government in-exile.

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