Manipur: NIA court frames charges against Congress MLA and others in arms missing case

Guwahati, 27th October: Special Judge of National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Manipur framed charges against Congress MLA Yamthong Haokip, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chief David Hangsing and others in connection with arms missing case from the premises of 2nd battalion Manipur Rifles in Imphal.

Special Judge, NIA of Manipur, Maibam Manojkumar on Monday had framed charges against 12 persons including the Congress MLA and the accused persons were slapped with different sections of Indian Panel Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act.

The premier investigation agency had submitted the charge sheet against the accused persons on October 14.

Apart from Congress MLA Yamthong Haokip, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chief David Hangsing, the charges were framed against Havildar Nellakattil Podiyan, Riflemen Laishram Anilkumar, Ngamboi Haokip alias Raju, Haobam Brojendro, Paonam Shantikumar, Laishram Damudor alias Thembung, Talung Pungphinamei, Mathurabasimayum Hiranjoy Sharma alias Ngouba and Thokchom James alias Tonao.

MLA Yamthong Haokip and three other accused namely Riflemen Laishram Anilkumar, Talung Pungphinamei and Thokchom James were absent on Monday’s hearing and the court directed the four accused to appear before it for explanation of the charges without fail on Tuesday.

The Congress MLA is currently out on bail on medical grounds.

NIA had arrested Haokip on July 30, 2018 and the investigating team had recovered one of the missing 9mm pistols from his residence during search operations.

As many as 58 numbers of 9 mm pistol and 58 magazines were stolen from the armoury of 2nd Manipur Rifles garrison between 2016 and early 2017.

After the incident came to light, the Manipur government handed over the case to NIA in March, 2018 to conduct the probe.