Non-Bailable Arrest Warrant Against Meitei Leepun Chief Pramot Singh: Report

 The warrant comes after there was no response from the local police station despite numerous reminders, and when Singh did not appear in person despite orders before investigating officer  

Meitei Leepun chief Pramot Singh. Photo: The Wire

The Wire, 14 October 2023, New Delhi: The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Churachandpur, Manipur, has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Pramot Singh, chief of the Meitei Leepun group, reported The Hills Journal.

Kuki groups have alleged that the Meitei Leepun group – like the Arambai Tenggol – is instigating violence in Manipur, but the Meitei Leepun have denied these allegations.

The order also directed the Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur, to ensure the timely execution of the order which is returnable by November 9, 2023, THJ also reported.

THJ reported that at the court hearing, the assistant public prosecutor submitted that during the course of investigation, Singh’s address was established as Nepali Basti Chingmeirong, Imphal West District, Manipur, which lies under the jurisdiction of Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West, and its office is at Sana Konung, Imphal East District, Manipur.

The Investigating Officer of the case stated that Singh could not be arrested now as his address now falls under the jurisdiction of Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West District. 

Though a message was sent to the Officer-in-Charge of the Station to take necessary action, including conducting a house search on September 9 under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, there was no response, despite a reminder also being sent.

Singh was also served a notice to appear in person before the investigating officer on October 2, 2023 at 10:00 am at Churachandpur Police Station, but he did not cooperate or give a reply, THJ reported.

The Court hence issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Singh. It also directed the Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur, to ensure timely execution of the order which is returnable by November 9, 2023, per THJ.

On July 8, the Manipur Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) by the Kuki Students Organisation against Singh, regarding both tweets he and the Meitei Leepun posted online, as well as comments he made in an interview he gave to Karan Thapar on The Wire on June 6 this year. In the interview, he says that all Kukis would be wiped out or annihilated from Manipur. The Kuki-Zo community had reacted strongly against this.

The FIR against Singh invokes charges including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between groups, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal intimidation.