New Delhi, 27 March (H.S.):

The Patiala House Court in Delhi on Friday granted permission for hearings in the case involving seven foreign nationals accused of training northeast ethnic groups to be held at the National Investigation Agency headquarters itself. The NIA had sought this approval citing security concerns for conducting proceedings related to these foreigners at its premises.

The NIA stated it is working continuously with various domestic and foreign agencies to unravel the full conspiracy linked to these foreign nationals. Their NIA custody was ending today prompting the agency to file this application. For context on March 17 the court had remanded these foreign nationals to NIA custody until now.

The court observed that serious charges against the accused threaten national security and interests necessitating custodial interrogation. It noted these foreigners entered Myanmar illegally then accessed Mizorams protected areas to connect with ethnic groups. They face allegations of supplying illegal weapons providing training to ethnic groups and assisting with drone operations. The seven include six Ukrainian citizens and one American.

According to the NIA these foreigners arrived in India on visas then entered Mizoram a protected area before heading into Myanmar to link up with ethnic militant outfits. The agency claims they received training in Myanmar and were in turn training these groups which have ties to active insurgent outfits in India. They are also accused of bringing a large drone shipment from Europe. The NIA has registered an FIR against them under various sections of the UAPA.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar