NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday has chargesheeted 11 accused in a case involving the loot of around 4, 000 kg of explosives by armed cadres of the CPI (Maoist) terror organisation during transportation to a stone quarry in Odisha’s Rourkela district.
According to a statement issued by the NIA, all 11 accused have been charged under various sections of the UA(P) Act, BNSS, Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act. During the investigation, the agency found the accused to be actively involved in the criminal conspiracy, planning and execution of the theft of around 200 explosive packets, each containing 20 kg of explosives.
The explosives were being transported to Maoist strongholds in the Saranda Forest in Jharkhand when local police intercepted the vehicle carrying the consignment from the Itma Explosive Station to the Banko stone quarry on May 27. The vehicle, along with its driver, was forcibly seized by 10-15 armed Maoists and taken towards a stronghold of the organisation in the nearby jungle.