OPERATION LEECH
LOK SABHA
A combined service operation
(Operation Leech) was undertaken in February 1998 to intercept
arms deliveries meant for Indian insurgent groups in the northeast.
In this operation, 73 foreign nationals were apprehended and 138
weapons along with a large quantity of ammunitions were recovered.
On the basis of certain information
and in view of the possible international ramifications of this
operation, it was considered desirable that investigations into
this episode be carried out by a Central Investigating Agency.
Accordingly CBI was directed to take over the investigation. The
investigation is still on.
However, as no evidence could
come forth during the investigation against 37 fishermen, a report
under Section 169 CrPC was filed by the CBI and the fishermen
were discharged by the CJM on May 07, 1999. The remaining 36 militants
who were lodged in jail in Port Blair were released from judicial
custody on Oct 14, 1999. They are at present lodged in a building
in Port Blair as they do not have any travel documents.
The investigation by the CBI
is continuing.
This information was given
by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply
to Shri Ramjivan Singh and others in Lok Sabha today.
