The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially filed a charge sheet against five individuals who were apprehended by Manipur Police on September 16, 2023, in possession of arms and ammunition. Following the arrest, the case was transferred to the NIA for further investigation.
On the aforementioned date, Manipur Police detained Moirangthem Anand, Athokpam Kajit, Keisham Johnson, Loukrakpam Micheal Mangangcha, and Konthoujam Meghajit Meitei. The arrest took place while they were traveling in a vehicle, masquerading as uniformed policemen.
According to the charge sheet filed by the NIA, there exists a correlation between the arms confiscated during raids on police arsenals and those recovered from the aforementioned individuals.
Moreover, the charge sheet makes reference to weapons training camps organized by members of a banned Meitei insurgent group.
The NIA charge sheet also asserts that a forensic analysis has revealed a connection between the arms seized from the accused individuals by Manipur Police last September and arms stolen from police stations in valley areas.
It has been noted that during the course of the investigation, three out of the four arms seized from the accused were traced back to various government sources.
The arms were identified as originating from the armory of the 7th Manipur Rifles Battalion (1 INSAS rifle), 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion (1 SLR rifle), and Manipur Police Training Centre (.303 rifles).
Furthermore, the NIA has disclosed that M Anand is a member of the PLA and has a history of six prior arrests. The remaining four individuals are reported to be supporters who accompany Anand during activities aimed at attacking rival communities, according to the national agency.
Additionally, the NIA has alleged that the China Myanmar module of NSCN/IM, led by Hangshi Tangkhul and Absolom Tangkhul and based in Myanmar, has pledged support to proscribed terrorist organizations Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in order to infiltrate their cadres into Indian territory for the purpose of carrying out terrorist attacks.
Following the filing of the charge sheet, NSCN (I-M) responded by stating that the NIA’s statement supporting Meitei outfits to exploit the current situation is not only misleading but also cruel and vicious, as it lacks accuracy and is morally unethical.
In response to allegations of a proxy war by Indian security forces against NSCN, the NSCN (I-M) clarified that the Naga Army had not taken any steps to fight against the KNA (B). Furthermore, they stated that there was no reason for them to oppose PDF either.
The ongoing situation along the Myanmar border with India has been described as an exposure of the hidden war or proxy war against the NSCN. Allegedly, Indian security forces, including AR and para-regiment, have been continuously bombarding NSCN positions in the name of KNA(B) on a daily basis.
