NIA arrests Manipur legislator in missing arms case

A Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Manipur, Yamthung Haokip was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday in connection with a missing arms case.

The case pertains to theft of 56 pistols and 58 magazines from the Director General (DG) Pool Armory located inside second Manipur Rifles Battalion premises. The weapons have gone missing between 2016 and early 2017, a presser by NIA read.

Prior to today's arrest, NIA sleuths have also raided the residence of MLA Yamthing Haokip on July 30th. In the said raid at Mantri Pukhri, Imphal, NIA recovered one of the missing pistols. Other than the recovery of the pistol, NIA claims to have gathered sufficient material and shreds of evidence implicating MLA Yamthung Haokip in the missing arms case, the missive added.

The arrested legislator was produced before NIA special Judge in Imphal and was sent to judicial custody. Yamthing Haokip represents Saikul Assembly constituency in the state of Manipur.

In another significant development, in this case, Chairman of terror group Kuki Revolutionary Army, David Hangshing was also arrested today by NIA.

NIA has alleged Yamthing Hakip of being guilty of procuring police pistols illegally and distributing them to different terrorist groups to wage war against the state.