Manipur Police have arrested at least three persons who shouted slogans in support of separatist leader Narengbam Samarjit on his arrival at the Imphal Airport.

Separatist leader Narengbam Samarjit, who declared Manipur’s independence in London, was brought back to Imphal on Monday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He was arrested by the NIA at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on March 25 last and was back in Imphal after being produced before the Patiala court on Friday. The court granted custodial remand till March 31.

On his arrival at the airport, some people who had gathered there, shouted slogans in favour of Samarjit even as a police team was escorting the militant leader from there.

The police on Tuesday picked up three persons after a case in connection with the incident was lodged at the Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West district, said an official.

Samarjit, along with one Yambem Biren, had formed a “de-jure” Manipur government on October 30, 2019  based in London after declaring Manipur’s independence from India in 2019, Indian Express reported.

He proclaimed himself as the self-styled external and defence minister and Yambem Biren, the Chief Minister of the “de-jure” Manipur government.

Last Tuesday, the NIA filed a chargesheet against the five accused persons, including Samarjit and Yambem Biren, at the NIA Special Court, Manipur.

They were charged under Sections 120B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13 and 17 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“Narengbam Samarjit Singh was the chairman and managing director of Salai Group of Companies and SMART Society. He, along with his associates Elangbam Brojendro Singh and Akoijam Deepa Anand are alleged of illegally collecting huge amounts of money and cheating the public by taking deposits from the public by offering 36 per cent annual returns on the deposits made to the Salai Group of Companies/SMART Society without any legal authority,” the NIA said in a statement.

“These illegal funds were allegedly laundered by Narengbam Samarjit Singh and his associates through various companies of the Salai Group of Companies/SMART Society,” it added