IMPHAL Nov 28: Small time convicts imprisoned for petty crimes are being allegedly recruited KCP convicts who stay with them in the jails of the state. This came to light after a thief convicted of theft after a brief stay in the jail has been arrested again today as a S/S second in command of the KCP (Tabungba group ).
A press release by Additional Superintendent of Police (Ops) of Thoubal District stated that on receipt of specific information that KCP (Tabungba) group is planning to carry out a series of extortion’s and abductions in Imphal East and Thoubal , a joint counter operation was launched by police commandos at Tangjeng area today.
After a massive manhunt , the combined team managed to nab two persons identified as Thounaojam Jineshwor @ Bomcha ,35, S/o T. Ngouba of Langmeidong Makha Leikai at present Khabam Makha Leikai and Thingojam Somir @ Action @ Leiching ,19 ,S/o Subhas of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai.
Police recovered one 9mm pistol , one magzine with 8 live rounds ,2 chinese make hand grenades and 21 demands letters of KCP Tabungba along with one kinetic honda , two mobile phones and 5 sim cards.
The arrested duo revealed on working under the command of one Malemnganba S/S commander of Imphal East of the KCP Tabungba group. They also confessed that they had been ordered today to throw a hand grenade at the residence of the chief engineer of the electricity department and to abduct a person whose details were to be made known by Malemnganba on the phone.
T Jineshwor also confessed to have lobbed the hand grenade at Misao Gas located at Chingmeirong on October 7. And was paid Rs 10,000 for committing the act. He was introduced to the outfit by one Koirou of Langmeidong , a former UNLF cadre who had joined the KCP Tabungba.
T Somir on questioning had also revealed that he placed a grenade at the house of one Salam Biren , a retired engineer of Keisampat Thiyam Leikai on Oct 25. He had served extortion to many engineers and brick field owners in Imphal and was earlier arrested in connection with the burglary of a mobile handset shop at Singjamei supermarket.
During his brief stay in jail, he came in contact with cadres of KCP group and through them joined the outfit . He was given charge of second in command over a short period of time after successful completion of extortion activities, the press release stated.