ED’s Imphal sub-zonal team has taken major action in Manipur. The agency has raided the locations of Yambem Biren and Narengbam Samarjit. Yambem Biren described himself as the Chief Minister of Manipur State Council and Narengbam Samarjit described himself as the External Affairs and Defense Minister. Both are accused of activities against the unity of the country and money laundering.
ED raided five different places
The ED team has raided a total of 5 different places in Imphal. All these places are said to be related to Salai Group of companies. Whose two are the main people. The matter is of the year 2019 when during a press conference in London, these people had talked about declaring Manipur as an independent country separate from India. According to ED, this is a serious crime like conspiracy against the country, treason and spreading hatred between different communities. On this basis, NIA and CBI have already registered a case in this matter.
Big revelations made in the investigation
Investigation has revealed that the accused had formed an organization named Kadangband Swajaldhara Implementation Committee in the year 2003. Whose name was later changed to Smart Society in 2008. Apart from this, he formed another institution named Salai Financial Services (SAFFINS). Which was registered in Imphal. This institution had got a license for money lending, but it is alleged that large-scale irregularities were committed in its name.
ED investigation has revealed that Salai Group and Smart Society collected money in cash from common people without any legal permission. People were lured by paying very high interest. Smart society showed itself in the name of membership. But in reality it was working illegally like an NBFC. Neither banking rules were followed nor proper accounting of money was maintained. The entire amount was taken only in cash and interest was also paid in cash only.
Collected crores from innocent investors
According to the investigating agencies, about Rs 57.36 crore was collected from innocent investors in this way. This money was later deposited in the bank accounts of the accused and different companies of Salai Group. With this money, property was purchased, home loans and vehicle loans were repaid and other personal expenses were incurred.
ED alleges that all this money is money earned from crime i.e. Proceeds of Crime. Which comes under PMLA law. This money was also used for activities against the country, treason and spreading hatred in the society.
At present the ED investigation is going on. During the raid, many important documents and evidence related to properties were found. The investigating agency is now busy finding out how much money was invested through this network and where and who else are involved in it.
