Announcing the arrest of the gang members and the recovery of the vehicles, SDPO Mayang Imphal PS N Mangi convened a press conference at his office this afternoon.
Briefing on the police course of action in busting the gang, the SDPO informed that the Mayang Imphal police had started its own course of investigation after receiving several complaints about the loss of vehicles from Imphal area. The police started by collecting information from various sources and further spread its web of informers to collect more information.
With information culled from its sources, the Mayang Imphal police had zeroed in on one suspect, he added.
The suspect identified as Taha alias Ahktar, 23 son of Md Bashir of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai leikai was picked up some months ago as a suspect in another stolen vehicle case, he added.
Suspecting his involvement in the lifting of vehicles, Mayang Imphal police monitored the main suspect Taha alias Ahktar’s, 23 son of Md Bashir of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai leikai movements, he added.
On March 28 at around 10:30pm, the main suspect was seen driving an Alto car without registration at Mayang Imphal Bengoon. On being stopped for checking, he was unable to provide the valid papers of the vehicle.
The police team picked him up for further verification at the police station.
On further checking the vehicle, an insurance paper was found. On verification of the found insurance paper, it was found that the car belong to one Yanglem Gita Devi daughter of former RIMS Medical Superintendent, Y Mohen, Uripok Achom Leikai, which was reportedly stolen from RIMS campus on March 23 this year, the police officer informed.
A case was also found to be registered with the Lamphel police about the loss of the car, he added.
He also added that, even though the car has been recovered a licenced .32 pistol belonging to Gita’s brother in law, which was inside the car is still missing.
During further interrogation, Taha disclosed to police about the whereabouts of two of his associates, he added.
A Mayang Imphal police team was soon dispatch to arrest the two on March 29. The team managed to arrest one among the two identified as Md Ziaur Rahman, 26 son of Md Islammuddin of Lilong Turel Ahanbi
While the other accomplice identified as Yambem Yusuto alias Nini, 26 son of Y Biren of Sangaipurou Mamang Leikai was arrested on March 30.
From their disclosure, a team of the Mayang Imphal police recovered one Honda Activa and an Access-125 from a house at Takhellambam Leikai on March 30 before noon, Mangi further told media persons.
The two 2-wheelers were stolen from one thabal chongba on March 23 from Keishampat area.
During the press conference, the Mayang Imphal SDPO N Mangi informed that there are around 5-10 complaints ofvehicle loss in Imphal area in a day.
According to Md Taha, Honda Activa is the easiest to steal among the two-wheelers, the SDPO stated. There is no need of any extra master key while stealing a Honda Activa and added that a thief needs only a star screw driver to steal one, the officer added.
Md Taha was previously picked up by the Mayng Imphal police in connection with the loss of a two wheeler in the area, N Mangi further added.
All three arrested will be handed over to the Lamphel police.