Ukhrul, Feb 23: In a major revelation about the supply of drones and accessories used in the Manipur violence, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named the suppliers linked to the Koutruk and Kadangband attacks.
According to media reports citing the NIA application submitted at the Special Court NIA Manipur for a production cum seizure memo and audio-video recording, the drones and accessories used in the Koutruk and Kadangband attack on September 1, 2024, were likely procured from suppliers based in Delhi and Haryana. The NIA investigation named Mayank Sharma, (30) son of Sh Raj Kumar Sharma of D-4 First Floor, Saraswati Garden, Ramesh Nagar, New Delhi, and Vikram Chaudhary, son of Gopi Chand Chaudhary of 647 Sector 14, Rohtak, Haryana, as the suppliers of the drones and accessories.
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The Special PP submitted that Khaigoulen Kipgen, alias David, of Gamngai village, Motbung, collected the drones and accessories for the attack at Koutrouk and Kadangband through different sources including Mayank Sharma and Vikram Chaudhary after paying a considerable amount in cash or online.
Further investigation revealed that another person, Laikangbam Albert Singh (36), son of L Chinglen Singh of Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak, also bought drones and drone batteries from Sharma and Chaudhary, paying online.
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It may be mentioned that the NIA has been investigating the attack on Koutruk, Kadangband and Senjam Chirang in Imphal West on September 1, 2024, by suspected Kuki militants. One woman identified as Ngangbam Surbala Devi, 31-year-old was killed and her 6-year-old daughter was severely injured in the attack. The attack also resulted in the injury of a journalist Elangbam Mushuk from the Impact News. This particular attack raised concerns as it marked the first time that bombs (40 bombs according to the NIA report) were allegedly dropped from drones. The NIA had taken the case for investigation in September 2024.
Related | COCOMI Demands Action After Drone Attack on Meitei Villagers, Accuses Kuki Inpi of Fabricating Narrative
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in the aftermath of the drone attack while demanding swift action had alleged that the “armed immigrant Kuki groups” used an ambulance to infiltrate Meetei villages under the guise of essential emergency services, leading to the killing of a 31-years-old mother and the injuring of her daughter and nine other village volunteers in Koutruk, Imphal West district on September 1, 2024. The ambulance was confirmed to have come from the Leimakhong area, which houses one of the largest army camps, it alleged. The COCOMI also said the “Kuki narco-terrorists” have grossly violated and misused the sanctity of a humanitarian service vehicle, committing an inhumane crime that reflects their lack of moral and ethical integrity. “Shockingly, a woman in the background was heard appreciating these barbaric forces and celebrating the death of the young mother and the injury of her minor child.”
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