New Delhi, December 19
Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had arrested two cadres of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) namely Thokchom Gyaneshor alias Thoiba under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The agency had filed a prosecution complaint against them.
United National Liberation Front (UNLF) is a proscribed terrorist organization established in 1964 with the aim of making Manipur independent from India.
It also has an armed wing called Manipur People’s Army (MPA). Thokchom Gyaneshor was self-styled Chief of Army Staff of UNLF and also remained the self-styled Secretary, External and Regional Affairs Department (ERAD) of UNLF. Laimayum Anand Sharma was self-styled Intelligence Officer of UNLF.
National Investigating Agency (NIA) probe showed that this is a transnational conspiracy hatched by Myanmar based leadership of terror outfits operationally active in the North Eastern States to exploit the ethnic unrest in the state of Manipur to wage war against Government of India and execute terrorist attacks thereby exacerbating the security situation in Manipur. NIA has invoked Sections 120 B, 121 A and 411 of IPC, 1860; Sections 17, 18, 18A, 18B, 20, 38, and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 which are scheduled offences under PMLA 2002.
During the course of PMLA investigation, it was revealed that huge funds are raised/ collected by cadres of UNLF from general public and business persons of Manipur by threatening them, by way of unauthorized collection/extortion of toll taxes at various National Highways etc. Cadres of UNLF also carry illegal weapons while making such demands so as to threaten the general public. The funds raised through collection/extortion were collected in cash to escape the scrutiny of Law Enforcement Authorities.
The said funds were raised by UNLF as a part of larger conspiracy which were utilized in a planned manner on recruitment and training of UNLF cadres, acquisition of illegal arms and ammunition, arranging logistics and maintenance of the organization and its camps as well as individual expenses of cadre.
Analysis of digital devices seized from the above mentioned accused persons revealed that they were actively involved in raising of funds, preparation of budget and acquisition of illegal arms, officials further added.
