Myanmar national among 3 arrested in Mizoram, Probe Agency says no Manipur link

New Delhi:

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested three people, including a Myanmar national, following extensive house searches in connection with the seizure of explosives, weapons and ammunition in Mizoram.

The arrested defendant — Myanmar national Henry Siangnuna (48) and locals J Rohlupuia (55) and C Laldinsaga (43) — will be arraigned at the NIA Special Court in Aizawl, where the agency will seek their pre-trial detention in the case registered last year, an NIA spokesperson said.

“Raids were made at four locations in Mizoram, including two in Champhai district, and one in Aizawl and Lawngtlai districts. They were arrested during the raids,” a senior NIA official stated.

According to him, the raids were carried out on the suspects, who are linked to theft and transportation of explosives and weapons from Mizoram to Myanmar.

“Various incriminating materials were seized during the raids,” said an NIA spokesperson.

Meanwhile, an investigation so far has found that Siangnuna, in conjunction with Rohlupuia, had illegally purchased weapons using the latter’s arms dealer license. These weapons were transported further across the border into Myanmar.

During the search of Siangnuna’s house, the official said that a smartphone with two SIM cards, an air rifle, two compressed air cylinders, a Myanmar entry and exit document and an Aadhar card were seized.

The investigation has also revealed that Laldinsaga’s license was used to procure explosives from an explosives supplier in Guwahati for onward delivery to Myanmar, the NIA said.

The arrests are gaining significance as it will be seen by many political parties in the context of ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis in Manipur.

Also, the political narrative in the state is that Kukis have caused problems because they have ties in Myanmar.

However, NIA argues that this case has nothing to do with ongoing clashes in Manipur.