IMPHAL, Feb 10: Following up investigations on the recent attacks carried out on Congress members, police made a major breakthrough and apprehended five Corcom activists along with two handgrenades.
Breifing mediapersons at Imphal West police station in the regard, SDPO Madhunimai said that among the arrested persons, one Seram Sanatomba ,42, s/o Khelen of Karam Makha Leikai is presently the councilor of Lillong Chajing Nagar Panchayat , ward number 6 of Langthabal a/c. He has been charged by the police for having links with one Tangba of PREPAK and under his supervision been carrying out attacks on Congress workers and extorting in the name of the outfit.
Police arrested him from Moirangkhom area in the afternoon yesterday and after carrying out interrogation arrested another CorCom activist identified as P Shanta, 40,s/o Gandharv of Karam Makha Leikai who is also the elected member of the same ward.
Police further stated that under directions from Sanatomba through the phone, Shanta along with one Maibam Maikael alias Lemba ,37, s/o Kala of Chajing Chingkhong went to Lillong area and procured five handgrenades. The grenades were later kept at Maikael`™s residence.Later, P Shanta took one grenade and lobbed it at the Langthabal residence of Congress candidate M Shyama.
Afterwards ,another two handgrenades were handed over to a van driver and transported to Sekmai. The individual is identified as one Koijam Jiten,42, s/o late Koireng of Kyamgei Mayai Leikai. The remaining two grenades were recovered from Maikael`™s residence by police.
After further interrogation , it was divulged by the arrested persons that one Chongtham Bobycha, 40, s/o Manglem of Singjamei Ngakrabam Leirak is also involved in extorting from government departments including, IFCD, Dolaithabi project, procuring Khadi loans and also extorting from IFCD minister N Biren Singh. He was working under instructions of councilor Seram Sanatomba.
SDPO Madhunimai added that it is unfortunate that such elected persons are involved in carrying out crimes in the state while working under the influence of insurgents for personal gains.