‘China-Myanmar module’ of NSCN-IM supported Meitei outfits to fan ethnic violence in Manipur: NIA

NIA chargesheet reveals China-Myanmar module supporting banned outfits to destabilize Manipur, targeting rival communities with violence and arms.

The National Investigation Agency has said in a chargesheet that the “China-Myanmar module” of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) supported the cadres of two banned Meitei outfits to infiltrate India in order to exploit the current ethnic unrest in Manipur with a larger goal to destabilise the State and wage a war against the Government of India.

The chargesheet filed in a Guwahati court on March 7 against five accused persons who were arrested in July last year in Manipur, said the accused “criminally conspired with intent to carry out violent terror attacks targeting the rival Kuki-Zo community with prohibited arms and ammunition”

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The Union government signed a ceasefire pact in 1997 with NSCN-IM leadership in India and a framework agreement to find a political solution was signed with the group in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The group envisages a ‘Greater Nagaland’ to include all the Naga-dominated areas in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

M. Anand Singh (44), the main accused, was arrested last July along with A. Kajit Singh, Keisham Johnson, L. Michael Mangangcha and K. Romojit Meitei by Manipur Police while travelling in a vehicle dressed in camouflage attire resembling uniforms worn by security personnel.

Three weapons and ammunition looted from police armouries were recovered from their possession. The NIA registered a fresh case on July 19 under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other sections of law to probe the larger conspiracy.

The NIA said Mr. Anand Singh mobilised local youth for armed training to escalate the ethnic strife and in July 2023 participated in a weapons training camp organised in Selloi Langamai Ecological Park near Keikhu by PLA cadres where around 80-90 young men received training in handling firearms. “Singh assisted in imparting training on battle drills and jungle warfare to the participating youth,” the NIA stated.