The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a 41-year-old mason in connection with a suspected IED blast case on June 21 in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, which left three persons, including two minor boys, injured.
According to the NIA, the accused, Md. Noor Hussain, was arrested in Assam’s Silchar, Cachar district, Monday in a joint operation of the Assam Police and intelligence agencies.
Earlier, NIA had arrested a 51-year-old, Seiminlun Gangte, a private school teacher, from Churachandpur district in connection with the IED blast case. NIA investigation revealed Gangte was Hussain’s close associate. “Probe also revealed Hussain was the last person present at crime scene before the blast,” a source said.
On June 21, an IED-laden stolen Mahindra Scorpio car exploded, wrecking a part of the western side of a bridge adjoining Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta area along Tiddim road in Bishnupur district. An FIR was filed on June 23 based on a complaint by Rajeev Kumar, Under Secretary, MHA.
The MHA then handed over the case to NIA, who tracked down the car’s owner, who had filed a complaint of stolen vehicle a month before the blast.
