At least two NIA cases transferred by the Supreme Court from Imphal to Guwahati have put the Arambai Tenggol chief Korounganba Khuman on its radar.
The apex court had allowed the transfer of eight criminal cases filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to its Special Court at Guwahati, Assam on Tuesday.
According to a copy of the transfer petition obtained by Imphal Free Press, at least two FIRs implicated the Arambai Tenggol chief.
The first one is the NIA Case No RC-03/2024/ NIA/IMP dated 09 02 2024 (NIA FIR) registered Under Sections, 147, 148, 149, 186, 188, 307, 379A, 395, 504, 505, 506, 34 of the IPC, Section 18 of the UAPA, and section 6 (1) (a) of the Official Secrets Act, and Section 25 (1-B) of the Arms Act.
It stated that on November 1, 2023 at 5.30 pm, a large number of Arambai Tenggol led by Korounganba Khuman with sophisticated weapons, sticks and other deadly weapons wearing camouflage, Manipur Police uniform and black colour shirts coming at the Palace compound, Imphal East on a call given in the Facebook page, Korounganba Khuman as “Echıl inao athouba sing lakpiro ngasıdı tang taba ama khanglası” translated literally as “please come all brave brothers let us teach them a final lesson today.”
When they were stopped by Imphal East Police at the Palace Gate, the group fired at the police, overpowered the local police, and proceeded through Sanjenthong bridge towards Imphal West in many light vehicles, it said.
The second case NIA Case No. RC-04/2024/ NIA/IMP dated 09.02 2024 (NIA FIR) is registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 188, 379A, 392 120B of IPC Section 16 & 18 of UAPA, Sections 25(1)(1-A), 25(1-AB) of the Arms Act, 1959, Section 6(1) (a) of Official Secrets Act, 1923.
It mentioned that on November 1, 2023, at 6 pm, large number of Arambai Tenggol led by Korounganba Khuman armed with sophisticated weapons, sticks and other deadly weapons wearing camouflage dress, Manipur Police uniform including MR/IRB's and black shirts came in many light vehicles, rushed in from the north-western gate and attacked the 1st Manipur Riffles Bn in Imphal.
They ransacked government office belongings including vehicles and looted the arms and ammunition from the 1st MR Battalion, it stated. After the arrival of reinforcement of the security forces including civil police, Assam Rifles and CRPF, the assailants escaped with arms and ammunition looted from security personnel, it mentioned.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, CTCR Division, North Block, New Delhi ordered the NIA to take further investigation vide order no F. No 11011/12/2024/NIA dated 07/02/2023, it mentioned.
It further stated that one Mutum Rajesh Singh, 25, son of M Shyam Singh, of Lilong Chajing Mamang Leikai, Langthabal Kunja, and residing at Kyamgei Shantipur was arrested on November 30, 2023 in connection with both the cases.
The remaining cases are NIA Case No RC 01/2023/NIA/IMP dated 23/ 06/ 2023 against the Kwakta blast; RC 01/2024/NIA/IMP dated 09/02/2024 against the killing of four civilians at Ningthoukhong by armed miscreants, RC 02/2024/NIA/IMP dated 09/02/2024 against the killing of SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar in Moreh by suspected Kuki Militants, RC-05/2024/NIA/IMP dated 09/02/2024 against the attack on IRB post at Ima Kondong Lairembi, Moreh by suspected Kuki militants, RC-06/2024/NIA/ IMP dated 09/02/2024 against the attack IRB Post at Moreh town by suspected Kuki militants and RC-072024/NIA/IMP dated 15/02/2024 against a mob attack upon a vehicle transporting individuals believed to be of the Kuki community at Kangchup Chingkhong.
These eight criminal matters, unrelated to each other, are under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. They were subsequently transferred from the Manipur Police to the NIA for investigation.
The transfer petition mentioned that these cases are related to heinous offences including causing of bomb blasts, violent attacks on persons of different opposing communities, killings of people, including that of police personnel, snatching of detenus from police custody, targeted killings of members of a specific community, attacking and picketing of police/security personnel vehicles.
The are also related to vandalising, looting of weapons of security forces, striking terror in the minds of people through use of illegal weapons, conspiracy of causing violence in various parts of the state of Manipur to create disharmony, Inciting and abetting hatred, disaffection and enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, residence, language, so as to disturb harmony and national Integration thus, endangering the security and sovereignty of the State, it said.
After the current unrest in Manipur that has been prevalent since May 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigations of these cases, it mentioned.
On receiving orders from the MHA, the NIA Branch office at Imphal, Manipur had re-registered these cases at NIA Police Station, Imphal, Manipur, it said.
