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NIA takes over probe on explosives recovery in Mizoram

The agency will be probing the motive behind smuggling of explosive powder, detonators and other war-like stores…reports Asian Lite News.

Amid the land dispute on the Mizoram-Assam border, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the recovery of 3,000 detonators from Champai district in Mizoram by Assam Rifles.

The Union Home Ministry had transferred the case from Mizoram Police to the country’s premier anti-terror probing agency on July 28.

The agency will be probing the motive behind smuggling of explosive powder, detonators and other war-like stores.

The agency will also look into the role of international banned groups engaged in pumping these explosives into India through the porous border of Mizoram.

Assam Rifles had recovered the explosives in Mizoram on June 21.

Back then, Assam Rifles had said in a statement, “Based on specific intelligence, the Serchhip Battalion of Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Spear Corps, apprehended two individuals and recovered 1.3104 tonnes of Class II CAT -ZZ explosive powder, Safety 2000 mtrs fuze, 925 electric detonators, 3000 special detonators and other war-like stores near Farkawn in Mizoram.”

The force further stated that the apprehended individuals along with the recovered items were handed over to the Dungtalang police station for further investigation.

The operation was carried out by the Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles, under the Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) in the Farkawn road track junction area in Mizoram.

Sources in local police stated that smuggling is a major concern in Mizoram, which shares a long border with Myanmar.

The cops have stated that prima facie, it seems that Class II CAT -ZZ explosive powder, Safety 2000 mtrs fuze, electric detonators and special detonators were smuggled in from Myanmar.

Mizoram, earlier referred to as Lushai Hill, shares borders with three states of Tripura, Assam and Manipur, besides sharing a 722-km border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

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A prominent leader and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA said that Sharma had reportedly approached the BJP government to reinstate his protege Vaze in 2016…reports Asian Lite News

As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probes deep into the extortion racket, fresh evidence is pouring in on the close affiliation between suspended cop Sachin Vaze and his mentor, Pradeep Sharma, also known as the ‘encounter king’ of the Mumbai Police.

A prominent leader and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA told IANS that Sharma had reportedly approached the BJP government to reinstate his protege Vaze in 2016.

The BJP MLA, requesting anonymity, said: “The meeting took place at Hotel Leela Kempinski located near the Mumbai airport. Sharma, a well-known personality of the Mumbai Crime Branch known for executing innumerable police encounters, had personally come to the hotel for the said meeting. He requested a BJP leader to reinstate his protege and former subordinate Vaze in the police department. But the BJP government had outrightly rejected the request.

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“After Sharma’s efforts turned futile, the Shiv Sena’s top leadership approached the BJP for reinstating Vaze in the police department. This request was too rejected on the grounds that he was involved in court cases of serious nature.”

Meanwhile NIA sleuths are gathering more evidence against Sharma who allegedly provided logistic support to Vaze in planting the explosive-laden SUV near Antilia, the multi-storey residence of top industrialist Mukesh Ambani in South Mumbai.

During his questioning, Vaze has indicated that he procured gelatin sticks, used as explosives in this case, through Sharma’s contact, a revelation which obviously requires documentary evidence to be proved in court.

Commenting on Sharma’s close relations with Vaze, BJP spokesperson Ram Kadam said: “I do not wish to comment on the criminal nexus of these police officers… But I can at least confirm that Sharma was Vaze’s mentor, a fact known to everyone in the police.”

Sharma, who resigned from his high profile police job to contest the Assembly polls on a Shiv Sena ticket in 2019, runs an NGO, PS Foundation, which has blessings of several police officers including Vaze.

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