Violation of ground rule : Pambei-led UNLF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 17 2024: The Pambei-led UNLF/MPA has asserted that the Government of India violated the peace agreement ground rules when the NIA arrested its chief of army staff in-charge Thokchom Sidabamapu, chief intelligence Laimayum Ingba and Sergeant Thounaojam Laandaba on March 13 .

Notably, the Government of India and the Pambei-led UNLF signed a peace agreement on November 29, 2023 .

In connection with the arrest of the three key members, the party's authority contacted the Chief Minister and enquired about their arrest but the Chief Minister maintained that no prior information was shared with the State Government.

Nonetheless, the Chief Minister said the Home Ministry was told that the arrest of the three key members has jeopardised the trust building measures, according to a press release issued by the outfit's media coordinator Charairongba Thokchom.

Citing the NIA's assertion that it was an 'inter-State case' the Chief Minister said that he could not do anything on the matter.

Nonetheless, the Chief Minister assured that he would make every effort to bail out the three arrested members at the earliest, Charairongba conveyed.

The party communicated with the NIA's higher authority and key authorities of the Government of India and they conveyed that the three members were in the custody of NIA.

When the party's authority said that the two sides must talk on the arrest, the NIA/GoI maintained that it would not be feasible until the investigation is completed.

Subsequently, the party met with Intelligence Bureau (IB) officers and asked them to see that the three arrested men are released at the earliest.

The IB officials assured that they would do everything to secure the release of the three men, the outfit conveyed.

The arrest has evoked serious questions whether the NIA has been working deliberately to jeopardise the peace process.

There is every reason to suspect that the arrest was a highly motivated act, the Pambei-led UNLF said.

The outfit then asked the Government of India to withdraw all the baseless charges levelled against chief of army staff in-charge Thokchom Sidabamapu, chief intelligence Laimayum Ingba and Sergeant Thounaojam Laandaba and release them at the earliest.

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