NIA uncovers 'hawala' route used to buy illegal weapons in Myanmar by Northeast insurgents

NEW DELHI: Federal anti-terrorism investigation agency NIA, in its probe into a case related to arms smuggling in the country's northeastern region, has found that 'hawala' channels were used to pay suppliers arms companies based in Myanmar. arms and ammunition, which are being brought illegally to Manipur and Mizoram, sources said on Sunday.

The sources said NIA teams discovered the payment method on Saturday following searches at six locations, including an arms shop in Aizawl, the Mizoram capital. Following the raids, NIA detectives arrested a person identified as Solomon alias Hminga for his alleged involvement in the alleged arms smuggling.

NIA officials said that during the raids, the sleuths managed to seize a huge quantity of explosives, ammunition, digital devices, documents and other incriminating materials. The anti-terrorism agency had earlier arrested a Mizoram resident, Laigaihawma, in connection with the case.

“Investigations revealed that the accused had established a network in the border areas of Myanmar and Mizoram to procure and transfer arms and ammunition, and also smuggle explosives into Mizoram and Manipur from the border of Myanmar,” a senior NIA official said, adding that one of Laigaihawma’s associates, Lalmuanawma alias Mangliana, a Burmese national, is still at large.

“With the help of their associates based in Myanmar, they were supplying arms, ammunition and explosives to Mizoram and Manipur. He was also involved in sending arms and ammunition supplies to armed groups based in Myanmar,” the official said.

Officials said the investigation into the case, which is still ongoing, has revealed that 'hawala' channels are used to make payments for the illegal supply of arms and associated ammunition.

It may be noted here that the NIA registered a case on December 26, 2023, under various sections of the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and UAPA, after receiving comments about a large-scale illegal arms and munitions operation. and an explosives supply network operating in the northeast region.