The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested a man involved in trafficking of arms, ammunition and explosives in the north-eastern states. He was arrested from Mizoram following searches in gun shops and other locations.
The NIA, in its statement, said that a total of six locations, including two gun shops, were extensively searched in the Aizawl district of Mizoram, leading to the arrest of Solomona alias Hminga.
It further said that a large cache of explosives material, ammunition, digital devices, documents and other incriminating materials were seized during the crackdown.
According to the statement issued by the NIA, Solomona is the second accused to be arrested in the case relating to trafficking of arms, ammunition and explosives in the north-eastern states. Earlier, Lalmuanawma alias Mangliana was arrested in the case. He was originally from Myanmar.
"The NIA on Saturday arrested one person following searches in guns shops and other locations in Mizoram in an arms, ammunition trafficking and explosives smuggling case," the probe agency said.
What is the case?
It is pertinent to note that the case was registered by the NIA on December 26, 2023 following credible information about a large-scale network of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives supply, operating in the north-eastern region of the country.
The accused had established a network in the bordering areas of Myanmar to procure and smuggle arms and ammunition along with explosives into Mizoram and Manipur from across the Myanmar border.
The NIA said that Lalmuanawma was supplying arms, ammunition and explosives in Mizoram and Manipur with the help of his Myanmar based associates, the probe agency added.
He was also involved in sending supplies of arms and ammunition to Myanmar-based armed groups, as per the NIA's investigations.
Moreover, hawala channels were being used to transfer payments for illegal arms and ammunition trafficking, the NIA said. The investigations related to the case are still continuing.
(With PTI Inputs)
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