The National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with Manipur police officials, visited the drone bombing site at Koutruk village in Imphal West on Wednesday.
This is the first on-site investigation since the case was transferred to the NIA. The attack by suspected Kuki militants, which occurred on September 1, claimed the life of Ngangbam (O) Surbala, leaving her daughter hospitalised. Several government vehicles and private infrastructure were also damaged on that day.
Initially handled by Imphal West Police, the investigation was recently taken over by the NIA which formally requested the Manipur police department to transfer all relevant documents and evidence pertaining to the case, amid concerns over the state government’s handling of the investigation.
The NIA’s move comes as part of a broader effort to conduct a thorough inquiry into the involvement of suspected armed miscreants. The agency has also filed an application with the Special Court of NIA, seeking a directive for the Manipur police to surrender all documents, case diaries, and seized materials necessary for the investigation.
The visit involved re-examining the site and reviewing field reports. The NIA team was accompanied by the sub divisional police officer (SDPO) Imphal N Ingocha, the officer-in-charge of Lamsang police station N Tiken and a forensic team.
The state government had earlier assured the public of a thorough investigation into the incident.
The NIA team also started their investigation into the killing of Ngangbam (O) Surbala, who was killed amid drone bombings and shooting attacks carried out by Kuki militants at Koutruk on September 1.
Ng Surbala was fatally shot allegedly by Kuki militants while visiting her family at Koutruk Ching along with her daughter. Her daughter sustained a shoulder injury in the attack.
The NIA team visited the residence of Ningthoujam Chaoba, who is the father of Surbala at Koutruk Ching Leikai and re-documented the crime scene to ensure proper chain of custody for evidence. The investigation which roughly began around 11 am continued around 2 pm.
Mention may be made that Surbala was allegedly hit in the head by a stray bullet apparently fired from Bethel side during the unprecedented attack by Kuki militants. She succumbed to her injuries on the spot.
The NIA team also inspected the damages caused by the Kuki militants’ attacks at Koutruk Ching Leikai on September 1, in which the houses of locals namely Leisangthem Heman, Thangjam Bashan, Thangjam Kapil, Angom Sunita and Nandeibam Ibohanbi were set ablaze by the militants.
The team further examined the residences of Secretary of Koutruk Apunba Youth Club, Leisangthem Romen from Koutruk Maning Leikai; Ningthoujam Priyokumar from Koutruk Mayai Leikai; Leisangthem Heman from Koutruk Ching Leikai as well as the condition of Koutruk Apunba Youth Club, which was damaged in the drone strike.
The NIA team also met with locals of the area and collected field reports of the incident, sources added.
