Manipur Congress MLA arrested by NIA in arms theft case; remanded in judicial custody

The said weapons which went missing between 2016 and early 2017, were said to be part of a consignment of 570 9mm pistols purchased by the Manipur government on September 11, 2014, for the state’s security forces.

A congress MLA in Manipur was produced before the court of Special Judge, National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Imphal on Friday in connection with an investigation into the missing of arms and ammunition from the armoury of Director General of Police (DGP) pool,sources said.

Later the court remanded MLA Yamthong Haokip for 15 days in the judicial custody, sources here added. However as per the court’s directive, the MLA is likely to stay at the security ward of JNIMS hospital at Porompat in Imphal East district considering his health condition. Recently MLA Yamthong who represents Saikul assembly constituency in Kangpokpi district was flown to a Delhi hospital for treatment.

The NIA has been probing the case relating to the of missing of 56 pistols along with 58 magazines from the armoury of DGP pool located within the premises of second battalion Manipur Rifles in Imphal.

The said weapons which went missing between 2016 and early 2017, were said to be part of a consignment of 570 9mm pistols purchased by the Manipur government on September 11, 2014, for the state’s security forces.

On July 30, 2018, NIA had raided the residence of MLA Yamthong at Mantripukhuri in Imphal East district and recovered one of the missing pistols.

In March,2018, the state government had handed over the case to the NIA to conduct the probe.Five persons were also arrested in the connection with the case.