The Court of Special Judge NIA Manipur has made absolute the interim bail of United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) chairman Lhunkhoson Haokip @ Soson, accused in the case of arms theft from 2nd Manipur Rifles Arms Kote, Imphal, Manipur, on medical grounds.
While granting the bail, the court also noted the absence of any report from the NIA that the accused refused to give cooperation to them during the investigation and the fact that the accused organisation is presently under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the governments and that the accused surrendered to the court, which negates any apprehension for absconding.
Also Read: 2nd MR Arms Missing Case: Interim bail of self-styled UKLF chairman extended
Nonetheless, the court gave condition to the accused that he should not influence prosecution witnesses so as to dissuade the witnesses from disclosing facts to the NIA or to the court; he should present himself before the court on every dates fixed, either in person or by a pleader.
During the course of the bail hearing, the judge also heard the statement of the JNIMS doctor and examined the medical documents of the accused.
Lhukhoson Haokip (47), son of (L) M Thangjapao of Khanbarol village Chandel, surrendered before the Court after the completion of 11 days' interim bail on medical grounds along with a prayer for extending his bail for a month to undergo proper medical treatment and further extend his bail.
Also Read: 2nd MR Arms Missing Case: NIA judge releases self-styled UKLF chairman on interim bail
In the bail plea, the accused counsel stated that according to the supplementary charge sheet submitted by the NIA, nine numbers of 9 mm pistols were recovered from the house of the accused and the pistols tallied with the list of the missing pistols from the 2nd MR Kote. But none of the pistols were seized from the accused residence as alleged by the NIA. Moreover, it asserted that since the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement had signed between the governments and UKLF, all cadres have been staying in the designated camps by observing “do and don’ts” of the ground rules.
While special PP of the NIA, in their objection, stated that it is not true that all cadres stayed in designated camp by observing do and don’ts, as there are a number of cases registered against the cadres of UKLF in different police stations, which is duly recorded in the charge sheet.
Also Read: Arms Missing Case: Court frames charges against Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip, others
Again, the accused counsel also claimed that as an underground organisation, 10 pistols were sold by Yamthong Haokip (MLA) to the UKLF organisation officers, but after a few years, it was known that the guns were stolen from Manipur Rifles Arms Kote and belonged to the government. After knowing the facts, the accused sent his organisation leaders to meet the state government officials and NIA team who were stationed in Imphal.
On August 6, 2018, a meeting was held at the office of the DGP, Manipur LM Khoute; DIG Intelligence Themthing and representatives of the NIA under the instruction of the Central and the state government and agreed that ‘if UKLF submits the purchase guns to the government there will be no operation raids to the cadres and leaders of the UKLF by NIA and state force’ and ‘any leaders of the UKLF, including the chairman Lhunkhoson Haokip (the accused) would not be arrested or given any harassment in any manner and the case of its chairman will be removed from the arms missing case. If the UKLF submitted the arms willingly to the NIA teams in the presence of the state force’.
On the contrary, the special PP maintained that a meeting was held at the office of the DGP in the presence of other officers, is a concocted theory to absolve him (accused) from the crime committed as it is a known fact that any crime committed cannot be absolved without going through the legal process of trial.
The court opined that despite the NIA’s claim that some facts were amassed during police custody of the accused, it has not been presented to the court which should definitely enlighten the court in deciding the case. Further, there has been no contention from the NIA regarding noncooperation in investigation.
It may be mentioned that during the investigation of the case, NIA carried out a search operation on August 23, 2018 at the residence of Lhunkhoson Haokip during which 9 (nine) pistols were allegedly recovered.
The NIA, after completion of the investigation, submitted their first charge sheet on September 25, 2018 against Laishram Anil Kumar, Thokchom James, Paonam Shanti Kumar, Haobijam Brojendro, Ngamboi Haokip @ Raju, Nellikattil Podiyan Damodaran, Mathurabashimayum Hiranjoy and Laishram Damudor.
Later, the NIA submitted their second charge sheet of the same case against KRA chief David Hangsing, Th Diamond, Yamthong Haokip (MLA Saikul AC), and Lhunkhoson Haokip. David Hangsing and Yamthong Haokip are currently on bail.
