NIA handling SDPO Moreh Ch Anandkumar assassination case; 9 arrested including a Myanmar national, says CM N Biren

Imphal: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has started investigation into the assassination case of SDPO Moreh Chingtham Anandakumar, MPS who was shot dead on October 31, 2023 while overseeing work on a helipad in Moreh town, Tengnoupal district of violence-hit Manipur.

Following the arrest of nine accused persons including one Myanmar national in connection with the case, the state government handed over the case to the NIA on January 31st this year considering the gravity of the case and one of the arrestees being a foreign national as well as taking into account public sentiments. The NIA re-registered the case on February 9 this year. 

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Chief minister N Biren Singh disclosed the same on the fifth and final day of the 5th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Responding to the calling attention motion moved by opposition MLA K. Meghachandra in connection with the killing of the police officer, the chief minister said the killing of the police officer while he was overseeing the construction of a helipad and not in combat or combing operations shows that it was pre-planned, cold-blooded and cowardly. He said the demise of a dutiful police officer was a huge loss to the state. 

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Chief minister N Biren maintained that State Police Commando personnel were dispatched from Imphal to Moreh to nab the perpetrators on the same day the police officer was killed. However, they were ambushed by armed people with sophisticated weapons which proved that they were not mere village volunteers. N. Biren said the nine suspects were arrested during combing operations conducted by Gorkha Regiment, Para Troopers and Paramilitary Forces in the border town. 

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He also refuted the controversy over one of the arrested persons holding a BJP identity card. He clarified in the house that the arrested person has no connection with the BJP and necessary action has been taken against the same.

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