The NIA and CBI officials working here in an ethnically charged environment have been facing the daunting task of completing investigations in various cases, including those related to attacks on Army personnel in 2015, the probe agencies said.
Refuting the allegations levelled by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Front (ITLF), an organisation claiming to represent the Kuki-Zo community of Manipur hills, officials from both agencies said no partiality has been shown against any community, religion or sect, and that only the rule book of the IPC was abided by.
Regarding the recent apprehension of Seiminlun Gangte, a member of a tribal community, authorities have stated that he stands as one of the primary suspects involved in an incident where an SUV exploded in the Kwakta region of the Bishnupur district on June 21, resulting in injuries to three individuals.
After obtaining a transit remand from the appropriate court, he was transported to New Delhi. In the nation’s capital, he was presented before a designated court, which subsequently remanded him into the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), according to sources.
Officials have emphasized that the legal process is being diligently adhered to, and the evidence gathered by the anti-terror agency will be presented before the appropriate court. Furthermore, they assert that unfounded allegations are being circulated solely to disrupt the investigation and sow confusion among the general public.
Manipur: In major breakthrough, four people arrested for kidnapping and murder of two Meitei students
On September 22, the NIA arrested Moirangthem Anand Singh in Imphal in connection with a separate case. Singh, along with four others, had previously been detained by the Manipur Police for possessing weapons taken from the police armory.
However, while the other four individuals were released on bail, Singh was apprehended by the NIA due to his involvement in terrorist activities. He was subsequently transported to Delhi and is currently undergoing legal proceedings, as indicated by officials.
Similarly, the arrests conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday were based on initial evidence collected during their investigation into the disappearance and presumed killings of two Manipuri students, according to CBI officials.
All four individuals were taken into custody in a collaborative operation involving the CBI, Manipur Police, and the Army to prevent any adverse impact on law and order, they further explained.
The region of Manipur has witnessed over 180 fatalities and numerous injuries since ethnic clashes erupted on May 3, following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Meiteis constitute approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while Nagas and Kukis, the tribal communities, make up just over 40 percent of the population and primarily reside in the hill districts.
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