GUWAHATI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a thorough investigation into three major cases relating to the recent spate of violence in Manipur.
Acting swiftly on the directions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to bring the perpetrators to book expeditiously, the top investigation agency had on November 13, 2024 re-registered the cases afresh.
The Union home ministry had decided to hand over the investigation to the central agency considering the gravity of the offences, amid escalating violence in the strife-torn state and with a view to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks.
In the first case, the FIR of which was lodged at Borobekra police station in Jiribam on November 11, 2024, several houses were burnt and two civilians were killed at Borobekra. Later, unknown militants had also abducted and murdered six persons, including three women and three children.
“Unknown armed militants had fired towards Borobekra Police Station, as well as some houses and shops located at Jakuradhor Karong, and also set them ablaze. Police and CRPF personnel retaliated, leading to heavy exchange of fire. Subsequent search operations led to the recovery of two bodies inside the burnt houses,” an official statement issued on Tuesday said.
The case has been re-registered by NIA as RC-15/2024/NIA/IMP under various sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Arms Act, 1959.
The second case, in which the NIA has initiated a probe, is connected with the November 11 attack on a CRPF post located at Jakuradhor Karong and Borobekra police stations, Jiribam, by armed militants (original FIR number 30(11) registered at Borobekra police station).
A CRPF constable sustained bullet injuries in the attack and was evacuated to Silchar for medical treatment. During a search by security forces and the police team, bodies of unidentified armed militants, along with arms and ammunition, were recovered from the vicinity of the attack.
NIA has re-registered the case as RC-14/2024/NIA/IMP under various sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Arms Act, 1959.
The third case relates to the rape and murder of a woman at Jiribram by fully armed militants on November 7.
While the case was originally registered as FIR number 80(11)2024 at Jiribam police station on November 8 2024, NIA re-registered the case as RC-13/2024/NIA/IMP under relevant sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Arms Act, 1959, and UA(P) Act.
“The NIA teams had visited the spots on November 21 and 22, 2024 and started the probe. The process of handing over the case documents from local police to NIA is currently underway,” an official statement said on Tuesday.
It may be recalled that the Union home ministry had, earlier this month, handed the three cases related to the outbreak of violence in the strife-torn northeastern state to the investigation agency.
“The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order. All the security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Important cases have been handed over to the NIA for effective investigation,” a statement issued by the home ministry read.
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