5 whose arrest had Manipur on edge get bail

A Special Judge (NIA) in Imphal East ruled that neither IPC Section 121 A nor Section 16 of the UAPA can be applied in this case since they had been arrested before they committed any such acts.

A tyre burning on a road during a 48-hour Bandh called by Meira Paibi, a collective of Meitei women, and at least five local clubs against the arrest of 5 youths, in Imphal, Sept 19, 2023. (ANI Photo)

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An Imphal court on Friday granted bail to all five men who had been arrested last week after being caught wearing camouflage uniforms and possessing firearms. During the hearing, the accused rationalised their possession of military grade/deadly weapons by saying that “unknown volunteers” had handed them over earlier and left, and they ended up keeping them.

The five men had been arrested on September 16 from Konga in Imphal East and booked under IPC Section 121 A (conspiracy to commit offences against the state) – a non-bailable offence – as well as Section 16 of the UAPA, which pertains to punishment for a terrorist act. Section 6(1)(a) of the Official Secrets Act, which pertains to using an official uniform to deceive, was also invoked.

A Special Judge (NIA) in Imphal East ruled that neither IPC Section 121 A nor Section 16 of the UAPA can be applied in this case since they had been arrested before they committed any such acts.

Police submitted that the five were caught after a vehicle they were travelling in was checked. They were found wearing “camouflage dress” and in possession of an INSAS rifle, an SLR Rifle, two .303 rifles and multiple magazines and live rounds.

According to investigators, accused Moirangthem Anand (45) had started working with Meitei separatist group People Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA) in 1991 and had undergone military training for the outfit.

He has been arrested several times in the past.

Also Read | 48-hour bandh in Imphal as local groups call for release of 5 men held for carrying firearms

It was submitted in the court that during the course of interrogation, Moirangthem claimed that he had come into possession of the INSAS rifle a few days ago when he went to a site of firing and came across a “one unknown Meitei volunteer” who was trying to repair it.

“He watched for some time but the unknown person could not do the work. He approached him to help. Being a trained cadre of PLA, he corrected the defect of the rifle and the unknown Meitei volunteer gave it to him with ammunition. The unknown person then left. Moirangthem took the INSAS Rifle home… and kept it concealed,” state the submissions recorded in the court’s order.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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