Nagaland policeman illegally supplies arms and ammo to Manipur, arrested

Michael Yanthan, an Inspector and in-charge of the Arms and Ammunition branch at Chumoukedima and 2 others were caught

A Nagaland police personnel, Michael Yanthan, has been arrested on charges of illegally transporting ammunition to trouble-torn Manipur from the Arms and Ammunition branch of the Police Central store in Chumoukedima.

Confirming the news, Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma said that Yanthan was posted as Armed Branch Inspector of the Police Department and was in-charge of the Arms and Ammunition branch of the Police Central store.

The Police had received information on July 9 that there was going to be a transaction of illegal arms and ammunition and accordingly on July 10 evening a car was intercepted in 6th mile in Chumukedima. Large quantities of ammunition were found concealed in rice bags from the vehicle. Police seized 2,480 rounds of ammunition.

The DGP further said that some people from Manipur had paid money to purchase the ammunition.

“They were looking for ammunition and so far, all we know is that the ammunition was meant to be delivered to someone in Manipur,” added the DGP.

Along with Inspector Michael Yanthan, there were two more individuals involved in the illegal transportation of arms and ammos to Manipur. One is said to be deputy kilonser of NSCN-IM and the other, a member of the Riders Club of Nagaland.

Mentioning that Yanthan was acting in his personal capacity, Sharma said that they have not found any angle of any conspiracy or any wrong doing by any other person. Yanthan was in-charge of the store and he just stole the ammunition from there without anyone knowing it and the investigation revealed that “he was actually being foolish and greedy”.

“He had stolen the ammunition and he was planning to show it as used against the next classification firing which would have taken place. It is absolute foolish act on his part,” added Sharma.

Asserting that the case is more or less closed, the DGP informed that administratively a committee comprising of senior officers under an IG has been set up to inspect and to look into why it went wrong and whether any additional improvements in the system can be made so that things are in control. The Dimapur police have already conducted the investigation, he said. “It is just a stray incident on one rotten apple.”

“We have proposed to the government for him being put under suspension, then a departmental inquiry will be set up so that based on the results of the departmental enquiry whatever punishment is proposed that will be carried out. The department will take action based on the enquiry which can even extend to termination depending on the enquiry,” DGP Sharma regarding action that will be taken against Yanthan.

The DGP also informed that there was another case that was reported about 10 days back where one head constable and a constable of Nagaland Police were caught selling ammunition stolen from the store by fudging the records and the 2 personnel have been arrested.

Trying to allay apprehensions, the DGP said that Nagaland Police is vigilant and have systems put in place.

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