Court takes cognizance

IMPHAL, Nov 17: The Special Court, NIA Manipur 1 has taken cognizance of a charge sheet submitted by NIA Imphal Branch against two accused in connection with the drone bombing at Koutruk and Kadangband on September 1, 2024 and fixed November 21 to provide relevant papers of the charge sheet.
A drone bombing at Koutruk and Kadangband and subsequent ground attack by suspected Kuki militants on September 1, 2024 afternoon killed Ngangbam Surbala (30) w/o Ingo of Phayeng Umang and injured her nine years old daughter.
In connection with the drone bombing and the subsequent ground  attack, the NIA Imphal Branch submitted a charge sheet against Haulungmang Samte alias Kengpu Zou alias Kenpu Samte s/o Dongzakhai Samte of Khonomphai Saikul village, Churachandpur district and Samuel Thongcianhao Vaiphei alias Python  s/o Seitlai Vaiphei of L Munlui village, Leimakhong under Kangpokpi district.
The NIA submitted the charge sheet some days back for taking cognizance under different sections of BNS, Arms Act, UA(P) Act, Explosive Substance Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The Court, after hearing the submission of Special PP NIA and on perusal of the submitted charge sheet, took cognizance of the offences charged in the NIA charge sheet and also found sufficient ground for further proceeding against the accused persons.
The Court also registered a special trial case (NIA) and issued a production warrant of the accused before the Court returnable on the next date and fixed November 21 for handing over relevant papers of the NIA charge sheet to the accused persons for charge hearing.
Notably the accused persons were arrested in June this year from different locations on different dates by NIA in connection with the case.
NIA started investigating the case in compliance with an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 17, after re-registering a case initially registered at Lamsang police station.
In the afternoon of September 1, 2024, unknown armed Kuki militants attacked Koutruk and Kadangband villages using sophisticated weapons, snipers and drones from the western hill range forcing the villagers to run for their lives.
However, a young woman was killed on the spot at Koutruk and her nine year old daughter sustained injuries.
The attack by Kuki militants went on till around 7 pm before they swooped down on Koutruk and burned down many vehicles to ashes at Koutruk Chingthak Leikai.
It was also reported earlier that more than 40 bombs were dropped by armed Kuki militants using drones on September 1, 2024 at Koutruk and Kadangband.