By Tannistha Dey
On Tuesday, Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids were conducted at five places in Imphal as part of an investigation into money laundering involving Yambem Biren and Narengbam Samarjit, who styled themselves as “Chief Minister” and “External Affairs and Defence Minister”, respectively, of the “Manipur State Council”.
According to sources, searches have been conducted at places associated with the accused individuals who play important roles in the Salai Group of Companies.
This investigation has originated due to the gathering of an excess of ₹50 crore from the common public in illegal ways of investment.
This case also has its origins in a press conference that was conducted in London in 2019, where Biren and Samarjit announced the “independence” of Manipur from the Union of India. The investigating agencies feel that all such activities amounted to waging war against the State, sedition, and causing disharmony and hatred.
According to officials, a case has already been registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the accused, and a chargesheet has been filed by the NIA against them and their associates.
According to the ED, he established the Kadangband Swajaldhara Implementation Committee in 2003, which was later renamed Smart Society in 2008. He also established Salai Financial Service (SAFFINS), which is licensed by virtue of the Bombay Money Lenders Act applied in Manipur.
The accused are said to have collected the money through Smart Society and other Salai Group entities in the form of membership fees, when the reality was that they were taking money in the form of deposits from the public to offer “unbelievable” profits. It is said to have flowed through their personal accounts and the corporate accounts, a Total of ₹57.36 crore.
The agencies claim that money obtained through criminal activity was used to pay off loans, buy real estate, and finance activities they deemed to be anti-national. In accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate is looking into the situation.