Chinese links to arms procured by Manipur terror group?

Guwahati, Feb 15 (PTI) The National Investigation Agencyhas exposed a nexus between men of Chinese-origin andManipur-based banned terror group United National LiberationFront (UNLF), alleging that the organisation was sourcing itsarms from neighbouring countries through those people.

The agency also found during its investigation thatmembers of UNLF were using satellite phones for extortion toavoid scrutiny of central security agencies and had expandedthis business across Assam and Manipur.

"Investigation conducted by NIA has revealed that UNLFmade some attempts to procure weapons with the help of somepersons of Chinese origin," an official spokesperson said heretoday.

In its charge sheet against self-styled Chairman R KMeghen and 18 other members of UNLF before a special court,NIA accused them of waging war against the country, extortionand illegal purchase of sophisticated weapons fromneighbouring countries bordering India.

The agency accused the members of raising funds byresorting to large-scale extortion from government as well asprivate bodies in Manipur.

"The National Investigation Agency...has established thatthese accused persons used to raise funds through extortion inManipur and then transfer them to countries like Nepal,Bangladesh, and Myanmar for purchase of sophisticated arms andammunition to be used by UNLF," the spokesperson alleged.

Meghen is now in judicial custody. Most of thechargesheeted persons were staying under cover in Guwahati andfurthering their cause by collecting money through extortion,the agency said.

The Assam Police had arrested them in a coordinatedaction through simultaneous searches across Guwahati on threedifferent occasions and recovered items like pen drives,laptops, mobile phones carrying details of their working.

"In pursuance of the said conspiracy, the accusedpersons extensively used Internet connection, mobile phonesand in some cases satellite phones also. Further evidence hasbeen collected pertaining to the large-scale extortionconducted by the arrested accused persons in Manipur to raisefunds for UNLF," the official said.

NIA conducted investigation of this case collectingevidence during last five months from different states likeAssam, Manipur, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.