Manipur Arms Loot Case: CBI Files Charge Sheet Against Seven

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a charge sheet against seven individuals regarding the looting of arms and ammunition from the Bishnupur police armory during the ethnic violence in Manipur last year, officials revealed on Sunday.

The CBI recently lodged its charge sheet before the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Kamrup (Metro), Guwahati, Assam.

The accused identified in the charge sheet include Laishram Prem Singh, Khumukcham Dhiren alias Thapkpa, Moirangthem Anand Singh, Athokpam Kajit alias Kishorjit, Loukrakpam Michael Mangangcha alias Michael, Konthoujam Romojit Meitei alias Romojit, and Keisham Johnson alias Johnson.

Background of the incident:

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On August 3 last year, a crowd looted more than 300 weapons, 19,800 rounds of ammunition, and various accessories from two rooms of the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion headquarters at Naranseina in Bishnupur.

According to officials, the loot included around 9,000 bullets of different calibers, an AK series assault rifle, three ‘Ghaatak’ rifles, 195 self-loading rifles, five MP-5 guns, 16.9 mm pistols, 25 bulletproof jackets, 21 carbines, and 124 hand grenades, among other items.

The incident occurred as a crowd gathered to march towards Churachandpur, where tribals were planning a mass burial for individuals killed during the ethnic clashes that erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year.

Since the outbreak of ethnic violence following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a total of 219 people have lost their lives and several hundred have sustained injuries.

Meiteis, about 53 percent of Manipur’s population, predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley. On the other hand, Nagas and Kukis, accounting for slightly over 40 percent, primarily inhabit the hill districts.