Fresh violence erupts in Manipur after NIA rearrests one of five youths released on bail

Imphal: One of five defence volunteers released on bail by a special court in Imphal was re-arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which triggered fresh clashes between security forces and protesters in certain pockets of Imphal West on Friday night.

The five youths, who were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prohibition) Act on September 16 wearing security forces uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons, were released on conditional bail on Friday in the wake of a series of massive agitations for the past six days by many civil society organisations.

Officials said that the authority handed over four of the five to their family members but one accused Moirangthem Anand Singh(45) was rearrested for certain other cases.

“Singh, a trained cadre of the banned People Liberation Army militant outfit, is likely to be taken to Delhi or outside Manipur for further interrogation,” a senior police official said.

Anand's wife, who broke down in front of Imphal police station, said, "I have been told by police that my husband has been arrested in connection with a previous case which is more than 10 years old."

One of the released village defence force volunteers Loukrakpam Michael, told reporters, "Though four of us were released from the lock-up, Anand was whisked away by few officials. That's the last time we saw him."

The other released are Athokpam Kajit alias Kishorjit (39), Konthoujam Romojit Meitei (28), and Keisham Johnson (35).

Meanwhile, security forces including RAF personnel fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse protesters at Kwakeithel stretch, Singjamei and Uripok in Imphal West district. Protesters burnt tyres in the middle of the road in protest against the government and police.

The five were granted bail by the court after furnishing a PR bond of Rs 50,000, while the court imposed five conditions, which include that the accused shall not leave Manipur without its prior permission.

The court also directed them to cooperate with the investigation, make themselves available before the investigating authority, not influence prosecution witnesses, and to appear before the investigation officer of the case every 15 days.

Police had recovered one INSAS rifle with 78 rounds of ammunition from Anand when they arrested him along with four others on September 16 at Kongba in Imphal East district.

On Thursday, Manipur witnessed widespread clashes between security forces and protesters after demonstrators attempted to storm police stations as part of "court arrest agitation" demanding the unconditional release of the five village defence volunteers.

With inputs from agencies