Missing guns: Manipur MLA's driver in NIA custody

A driver of a Manipur Congress legislator, being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the missing pistols from Manipur Rifles' armoury, was on Wednesday produced before an NIA court which remanded him in the agency's custody for three days, police said.

The NIA arrested T. Diamond, the MLA's driver, on Monday night.

The NIA raided the house of Congress MLA, Yamthong Haokip, on July 30 and recovered five guns, including a 9 mm pistol, which is believed to be one of the missing hand guns. The four other guns are being verified, police sources said.

Cash and gold were also recovered during the raid, the sources added.

The MLA has not been arrested although a case has been registered against him, police said. Haokip is undergoing treatment in a private hospital as he complained of chest pain.

Some months ago, 65 9 mm pistols and 58 magazines were reported missing from the armoury of 2 Manipur Rifles in Imphal during an inventory check.

The Manipur government handed over the case to NIA on April 1.

Chief Minister N. Biren, who is also in charge of Home, has said: "It is a serious offence since it concerns national security. We hope that the whole truth will be unearthed."

--IANS

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