IMPHAL, April 27: Security forces have arrested atleast seven militants including the commander in chief of the proscribed UTLA from separate counter insurgency operations launched in different parts of the state.
In the first incident troops of 11 Assam Rifles under the Red Shield division arrested three hard core cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA), Max faction including its commander during an operation launched near Kaimai village of Tamenglong district, said a statement released by the HQ 57 Mountain Division.
The release added that the group was involved in the killing of one Pintu Das in February, a sub contractor of Bharat Construction Company in ‘Jiri-Tupul railway project. The troops also recovered eight packages of explosives, two detonators and a five meters long cordex, it added.
The arrested individuals have been identified as commander in chief of the outfit Ngurkhabo alias Max, 23, of Palel, Lunminthang (20) of Churachandpur (Manipur south district) and Lulun, 18, of Jiribam.
They along with the recovered items have been handed over to the concerned police, the release added.
In another incident, troops of 23 Assam Rifles under HQ IGAR (S) arrested two militant cadres which include a KCP (Nando faction) and KNA militant from Yainganpokpi area on April 26 at about 12:30 pm, said a statement of the PRO IGAR(S).
The individuals have been identified as one Sagolsem Bimol Singh, 29, s/o (L) S. Inao Singh of T. Yaingangpokpi, KCP Nando group army number 1550 while the KNA cadre is identified as one Thangkhusad, 23, s/o (L) Holet of Semul. Three live rounds of AK 47 ammunition was recovered from there possession, it added
The arrested individuals along with the recovered items have been handed over to the police, it said.
On the other hand a combined team of the Imphal East district police commandos and 30 Assam Rifles arrested one PREPAK cadre today at about 8 am from Takhel Makha Leikai near the bus stand, said a statement released by the SP’s office.
It said that the individual have been identified as one Amom Shyamchand Singh, 30, s/o A. Bhubon Singh of Takhel Makha Leikai.
One .32 pistol made in USA loaded with seven live rounds in the magazine was recovered from his possession.The arrested individual disclosed that he joined the outfit in January 2011 through one Aken and was assigned to extort money from general public and motivate young boys to join the outfit, said the release.
At the same time, the SP of the Imphal West district police in a statement also claimed to have arrested one cadre of the proscribed PLA/RPF activist from near the RIMS gate.
The individual is identified as one Mayanglambam Manglem Singh, 40, s/o (L) M. Kamdebo Singh of Kakching Khunyai Leikai.On spot verification, he disclosed that he had collected a sum of rupees 8000 per month from the Manipur Security services RIMS and handed over the same to one Rishikanta at Moreh. One mobile handset was seized from his possession, said the release.
