IMPHAL, March 25: Two auto rickshaw drivers were arrested by 9 sector Assam Rifle personnel at Moreh area today. During their interrogation, the two drivers revealed that some underground group cadres had planted an Improvised Explosive Device in between Tengnoupal to Lokchao road stretch along the National Highway number 2 on the Imphal-Moreh route.
Subsequent to the disclosure, the traffic along the national highway was disrupted till 2 pm as no vehicles were allowed to pass on the road. Vehicles remained stranded on the Highway while the AR personnel searched for the said bomb. However, no such bomb was recovered.
On the other hand, a combined team of Thoubal Commando and the personnel of 15 Assam rifle conducted a cordon and search operation at Chandrakhong and Leirongthel area and apprehended one alleged PLA over ground worker identified as Koijam Gourahari Singh (55), son of (L) Ibobi singh of Malom Mamang Leikai.
The combined team recovered one 9 mm pistol with magazine along with 2 live rounds; one Chinese hand grenade; 2.5 kilograms of plastic explosive and two mobile phone from the arrested person.
The arrested person was later paraded before the media along with the seized items. According to the police, the arrested person was also involved in the IED blast at Leirongthel Lamkahi in which one Assam Riffles personal died and other Assam rifle personal was injured.