NIA charge sheets alleged arms peddler with links to Myanmar-based groups

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency has filed a charge sheet against an alleged arms peddler, Lalngaihawma, who was allegedly running a pan-India trafficking racket and had links with Myanmar-based insurgent groups, officials said Wednesday.

In its charge sheet filed on Tuesday before an NIA Special court, the agency invoked various sections of IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substance Act, and stringent anti-terror UA(P) Act.

The NIA has alleged that he was actively involved in the network operating in the northeast region as well as other parts of the country.

The agency had registered an FIR against him and others on December 26, 2023 on the basis of inputs that some Mizoram-based entities were engaged in the illegal trafficking of arms, ammunition, explosives etc in the country's northeastern region, the NIA spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

  "Investigations by the agency so far have revealed that Lalngaihawma had established strong linkages with Myanmar based insurgent groups. With their help, he used to receive arms, ammunition and explosives for supply to various insurgent and criminal groups. Lalngaihawma had also received huge funds through various channels, including his Myanmar based associates," the spokesperson said.

The agency found that he had allegedly established a nexus with licensed arms dealers which he used to pilfer non-prohibited bore weapons and ammunition, besides trafficking prohibited bore weapons, the official said. PTI ABS   ABS MIN MIN