The Enforcement Directorate carried out a series of searches across Manipur on December 17 as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering network accused of illegally raising funds and diverting them for activities described as waging war against the Government of India. Officials confirmed that at least five premises in Imphal were searched in connection with the case.
According to the agency, the probe centres on Yambem Biren, who projected himself as the chief minister of a purported Manipur State Council, and Narengbam Samarjit, who claimed to hold the council’s external affairs and defence portfolio. The two are alleged to be key figures behind the Salai Group of companies and are accused of collecting more than ₹50 crore from the public through deceptive investment schemes.
The ED stated that the funds were allegedly channelled into activities amounting to sedition and actions prejudicial to India’s sovereignty. The case traces back to a press conference held in London in 2019, during which Biren and Samarjit allegedly announced the “independence of Manipur” from India, an act the agency described as promoting enmity, disharmony and rebellion against the state.
Investigators noted that the duo had earlier been booked by both the National Investigation Agency and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The financial trail, according to the ED, began with the formation of the Kadangband Swajaldhara Implementation Committee in May 2003, which was later renamed Smart Society in 2008. Subsequently, Salai Financial Service, also known as SAFFINS, was established with its registered office in Imphal.
The agency alleged that Smart Society functioned unlawfully as a non-banking financial entity, collecting cash deposits from the public under the pretext of membership fees and offering unusually high returns, which were also paid in cash. Investigators claim that ₹57.36 crore was raised from unsuspecting investors and routed into personal bank accounts linked to the Salai Group, Smart Society and their directors.
The ED maintained that the funds constituted proceeds of crime and were used to support activities related to sedition, promotion of enmity and attempts to undermine the authority of the Indian state. Officials said further investigation is in progress to trace the money flow and identify additional individuals connected to the alleged network.
