KANGPOKPI, May 27: Two cadres of the NSCN-K including its finance secretary were arrested following a brief encounter yesterday evening at around 7.25 by 43 Assam Rifles posted at Kangpokpi near Tumnoupokpi along the National Highway 2.
They were apprehended with small arms and ammunition including extortion cash and a vehicle, said a police source.
The arrested cadres are identified as Joseph Rapei, 52, son of Rapei of Purul Akutpa, Senapati district under Tadubi Police Station and Francis Sajii, 24, son of Saji A of Phybung village, Senapati district under Tadubi police station, informed the police source.
While carrying out area domination patrol near Tumnoupokpi along NH-2 yesterday evening, a team of Alpha Company of 43 AR, Kangpokpi came across two suspicious persons in a blue colour Maruti 800 bearing regdNo MN04A-0716 at around 7.05 pm, continued the source while adding that on seeing the security force team approaching them, the two suspected individuals tried to flee from the spot which compelled the security force to chased them.
In the process the two suspected persons fired several rounds of bullet to the security force which the latter retaliated.
After exchanging fire for about 20 minutes, the duo surrendered and was subsequently arrested along with one 9mm pistol, one magazine and three live rounds of the arm and extortion money of Rs 1490 in cash besides seizing the vehicle they were travelling, said the police source.
The two were later handed over to Imphal Police Station and later they were brought the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kangpokpi this evening for remand in police custody for a period of five days.