The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday secured five-day custody of a person arrested on the charge of his alleged involvement in a transnational conspiracy by the Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits to wage a war against the Indian government by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur.
The accused, identified as Moirangthem Anand Singh, has been booked in a case registered suo motu by the NIA on July 19. The agency alleged that Myanmar-based leaders of insurgent groups and the proscribed terrorist organisations were recruiting Over Ground Workers (OGWs), cadre and sympathisers to augment the strength for carrying out attacks on security forces and opponent ethnic groups.
Also Read | Manipur conflict: What would it take to restore normalcy? | In Focus podcast
“And for this purpose, the aforementioned leadership are collecting arms, ammunition and explosives by unlawful means, including plunder and pillage of government facilities and resources,” said the agency.
The accused was arrested in Imphal on Friday, soon after a special NIA court granted bail to him and four others. On September 16, they were arrested by the Manipur Police while they were allegedly travelling in a vehicle in police camouflage, and carrying sophisticated arms and ammunition.
According to the police, one INSAS rifle having four magazines with 78 live rounds, one SLR rifle with three magazines having 50 live rounds and two .303 rifles with one magazine each containing five live rounds were found in the vehicle. They alleged that Moirangthem Anand Singh worked as an OGW of People’s Liberation Army of Manipur and had undergone basic military training in the outfit in Chandel. The police earlier arrested him in different cases.
Also Read | Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions
After considering the submissions from both sides, the court observed that the case investigating officer could not show a strong prima facie case against all the accused persons for the commission of alleged offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The other charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Arms Act were punishable with up to seven years’ prison, and therefore, it was inclined to grant bail to the accused with certain conditions.
Following the arrests, the Meira Paibi group in Imphal had been staging protests and demanding their release, stating that they were village defence volunteers. The women’s group also called for a 48-hour Imphal bandh, during which about 50 women suffered minor injuries when the security personnel attempted to disperse the crowds gathered at various places. The agitation was suspended by the court granted bail to the five accused.
