The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches on Tuesday at five different premises in Imphal related to the accused persons, who are key figures of the Salai Group of Companies.
The searches were conducted at the residences of Yambem Biren, self-styled “Chief Minister of Manipur State Council,” and Narengbam Samarjit, self-styled “External Affairs and Defence Minister of Manipur State Council,” along with three other locations.
According to the ED, the case relates to a press conference held in London in 2019, wherein Yambem Biren, styling himself as the “Chief Minister of Manipur State Council,” and Narengbam Samarjit, styling himself as the “External Affairs and Defence Minister of Manipur State Council,” publicly declared the “independence” of the State of Manipur from the Union of India.
The ED said that through such prejudicial activities, the accused engaged in acts amounting to waging war against the state, sedition, and promoting disharmony, enmity, and feelings of hatred among different groups.
The accused had previously been booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
According to the ED, Biren and Samarjit initially formed the “Kadangband Swajaldhara Implementation Committee” in May 2003, which was later renamed Smart Society in August 2008.
They subsequently set up Salai Financial Service (SAFFINS), with its registered office at Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Imphal.
The agency alleged that Smart Society operated illegally as a non-banking financial company (NBFC), collecting cash deposits from the public under the guise of membership fees and paying returns only in cash, with promises of high interest rates.
The agency added that the funds are considered proceeds of crime and were allegedly used to promote sedition, enmity, and waging war against the Government of India.
