NEW DELHI, June 7 � The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed the involvement of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) in the ambush at Chandel district in Manipur implicating three top leaders of the outfit. The case would now be probed by NIA�s Guwahati unit.
The NIA, which has been handed over the probe by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a statement said that the Manipur incident was allegedly executed by armed formations belonging to the NSCN(K) and its affiliates active in the North-Eastern region and along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The conspiracy behind the attack is suspected to have been hatched by the top leadership of the NSCN(K) led by Khaplang Pangmi of Myanmar, the self-styled chairman of the outfit, Kughalu Molatonu of Nagaland, general secretary, and Alezo Chakesang of Nagaland, information secretary, besides other senior members of NSCN(K) and its affiliates.
The NIA has said that in compliance with an order issued by the MHA (vide letter No.11034/66/2015-IS.IV dated June 6), the National Investigation Agency, Guwahati branch, has re-registered a case with reference to the June 4 incident in which 18 Indian Army personnel were killed and 15 others injured in an armed attack in Moltung area in Chandel district of Manipur.
The NIA case has been registered under Sections 302/307/120B/121/121A of the Indian Penal Code read with Section 25(1)(C) of Arms Act, 1959, Section 5 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and Sections 16/20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The case was earlier registered by the Tengnoupal Police Station of Chandel district, Manipur, vide an FIR.
Significantly, so far NIA has not named the outlawed anti-talk faction of the ULFA for the attack, despite claims by commander-in-chief of the outfit Paresh Baruah claiming involvement of his cadres in the attack.