Imphal : Special Judge of the National Investigation Agency, Imphal East District through video conferencing granted bail with a PR bond of Rs. 50,000/ each to the 5 Village Defense Volunteers (VDVs) who were arrested under the Arms Acts. The arrests and seizures were made near the Meitei Mayek High School, Kongba in Imphal East district on September 16.

The court proceedings were conducted at the Cheirap court, Imphal on Friday amidst strong protests from hundreds of people demanding the granting of bail for the arrested VDVs.

The release on bail came after several voluntary organizations and Meira Paiblis launched ceaseless agitations and protests with bandhs and massive court arrests paralyzing normal life in the valley districts of the state for the past 4 days on September 22. The government reimposed an indefinite curfew in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts on Friday to control the unwanted situation.

Special Judge (NIA), Imphal East in an order granted the 5 VDVs with the following conditions: i. the accused shall co-operate with the investigation, ii. the accused shall make available before the investigating authority, iii. the accused shall not influence prosecution witnesses, iv. the accused shall not leave the State of Manipur without prior permission of the Court and The accused persons are directed to appear before the Investigating Officer of the case every 15 days as well.

Release on bail are Moirangthem Anand Singh, 45, who was a drug user, former PLA and joined KCP (Noyon) detained under NSA, Athokpam Kajit alias Kishorjit, 39, drug addict, Loukrakpam Michael Mangangcha, 30, Konthoujam Romojit Meitei, 28, and Kaisham Johnson, 35. They are in judicial custody for 7 days for further interrogation.

Notably, the police recovered a total of 5 weapons and ammunition from them. The cache of arms and ammunition are 1 INSAS rifle with 4 magazines and 78 rounds, 1 SLR with 3 magazines and 50 rounds, 2 numbers of 303 rifles with a magazine and 5 rounds of ammunition, and one Bolero. The arrests and seizures were made near the Meitei Mayek High School, Kongba in Imphal East district on September 16.