The Special Court of National Investigation Agency [NIA] has convicted 18 persons, including former chairperson of Manipur based separatist outfit United National Liberation Front [UNLF] Rajkumar Meghen, in Guwahati on Wednesday. The UNLF leaders and cadres are convicted for various offences, “including criminal conspiracy [related to] terrorist acts and waging war” against the country, a NIA release said. UNLF is one of the oldest armed, underground outfits of Manipur that is active in the North East for over 50 years and Mr Meghen was perhaps the most networked and respected leaders, who demanded plebiscite in Manipur to establish peace. The release claimed that Mr Meghen alias Sanayama was arrested with “large number of digital articles like laptop, mobile phones etc.”
Money trail
The recovery “revealed financial dealings of the organization as well as money trail of investments by the organization, which were located and seized during the investigation,” it said. The Agency submitted two chargesheets in the case, charging 25 persons for their involvement in terrorist conspiracy and waging war against the Government.
“Of these, 18 persons faced the criminal trial and remaining seven are absconding. The following 18 persons have been convicted and have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment ranging from seven to 10 years by the NIA Special Court,” the statement said. The insurgents were defending various charges framed under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
