Out of Five village volunteers released NIA re-arrest One in Imphal

Imphal: Of the five Defense Village volunteers who were arrested by the police from Kongba on September 16, one has been re-arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) while the other four have been released.
Earlier, all the five defence village volunteers were granted bail by Court of Special Judge, NIA Imphal East.
Following the court order, Athokpam Kajit alias Kishorjit (39), son of A Dhananjoy from Kongba Nongthombam Leikai; Loukrakpam Michael Mangangcha (30), son of L Iboton of Khurai Ahongei; Konthoujam Romojit Meitei (28), son of K Meghajit of Sagolband Sayang; Keisham Johnson (35), son of K Ibomcha and Moirangthem Anand Singh (45), son of late M Achou from Singjamei Sorokhaibam Leikai were released on September 22 late evening. But Moirangthem Anand was allegedly re-arrested by the NIA in connection with another case.
After learning about the court order, the families of the five arrested village defense volunteers gathered in front of the Imphal police station with a large number of people from 4.30 pm and started waiting for their release.
As the crowd grew in size, the police dispersed them by firing a few rounds of mock bombs.
However, after some time, people again gathered in small numbers at Babupara on the eastern side of the first MR.
Moiranthem Anand’s wife, Anu who was among the crowd at the Imphal police station broke down after learning of her husband’s re-arrest by the NIA.
“I was informed by a police officer that my husband has been taken to Delhi this evening in connection with a case.
It is beyond my expectation that my husband will be arrested again by the NIA on the charge that he was once a member of a rebel group,” lamented Anu.
As Anu was devastated by the news of her husband’s re-arrest, she briefly collapsed.
It may be mentioned that earlier, all five village defense volunteers were produced by a team of Imphal East district police before a special judge of NIA Imphal East and remanded in judicial custody for smooth investigation of the case.
However, the defense lawyers of the five village defense volunteers filed an objection to the remand praying for their release on bail.
The Special PP submitted that all the five accused are village defense volunteers and were volunteering to protect the villagers at large in Manipur (based on the statements recorded by the police during investigation).
It was also acknowledged that a large number of people, including women, were calling for a 48-hour general strike demanding the unconditional release of the five persons.
A large number of people even thronged the police stations demanding the release of the village defense volunteers on the grounds that they were doing some activities for the safety and security of the villagers at large.
Stating that no biased activities could be shown at present during the investigation, the Special PP prayed for the passing of an appropriate order to safeguard the law of the land as well as the personal liberty of the accused. .Stating that no biased activities could be shown at present during the investigation, the Special PP prayed for the passing of an appropriate order to safeguard the law of the land as well as the personal liberty of the accused.
On the other hand, the defense counsel said that all the accused are village defense volunteers and they were defending the innocent villagers and their village.
The court, after hearing the submissions of the IO, Special PP and defense lawyers, ordered the five village defense volunteers to be released on bail with a PR bond of Rs 50,000 and one surety of the same amount. They shall cooperate in the investigation and make themselves available before the investigating authority whenever required.
The court order said that the accused shall not influence the prosecution witnesses, shall not leave the state of Manipur without the prior permission of the court and shall appear before the IO of the case every 15 days.
During the court proceedings, a large number of women gathered in front of the entrance of the Cherap Court Complex and raised slogans like “Long live Manipur”, “Release the five village defense volunteers” etc.