IMPHAL, July 20 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the investigation into the February 13, 2024, looting of arms and ammunition from the 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp at Chingarel Tezpur in Imphal East district. The incident, which marked one of the most serious breaches of security during Manipur's ongoing ethnic unrest, involved a large mob mostly composed of local youths storming the IRB facility, overpowering security personnel, and looting a significant cache of weapons. A fierce confrontation followed between the intruders and the stationed security forces, leading to an exchange of gunfire and raising serious concerns over the breakdown of law and order in the region. The Union ministry of home affairs subsequently directed the NIA to take over the case, given the scale of the operation and the possible involvement of larger networks. htc...