NIA conducts searches in Bihar’s Purnea arms case

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 13

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The anti-terror probe agency NIA on Tuesday said it has conducted searches at residential and official premises of Chandra Vijay Pratap in Patna in connection with its investigation in the Purnea arms case.

In an official statement the NIA said the case pertains to “interdiction of an SUV and seizure of highly sophisticated weapons and ammunition on February 7, 2019 by Purnea police from three persons — Suraj Prasad, Varengnow Kahorngam and Clearson Kabo.

“The weapons included 2 Under Barrel Grenade Launchers, 1 AK series rifle and 1,800 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition which were kept concealed and were being transported by the above mentioned three persons in the SUV. The local police registered an FIR against the three accused persons,” it said.

The NIA took over the case on February 28, 2019 and re-registered the case under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – UAPA, Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Arms Act.

During its investigation, NIA arrested four more accused namely Tripuari Singh, Mukesh Singh, Ningkhan Sangtam and Santosh Singh and filed a chargesheet against the seven accused persons.

“Further investigation revealed that a large number of illegal sophisticated prohibited weapons and ammunition were supplied by accused Ningkhan Sangtam, a self-styled major of NSCN (IM) through an arms dealer of Bihar to the absconding accused Bhikhan Ganjhu, zonal commander of the Tritya Prastuti Committee (TPC), a Naxal terrorist gang,” it said, adding that suspect Chandra Vijay Pratap had transferred a huge amount of funds to the account of accused Ningkhan Sangtam.

During the searches, several incriminating documents pertaining to monetary transactions have been seized, the agency said in the statement, adding that further investigation in the case is continued.