IMPHAL, September 26: Two havildars and a jawan of the 1st IRB have been suspended in connection with the hijacking and subsequent murder of a commando driver last night.
Sources said that a high level team comprising of top police brass was immediately put in charge of investigating into the hijacking of a bullet proof vehicle and murder of the driver of the police commando.
While the full episode of the yesterday`™s incident could not be ascertained with the perpetrator still at large, the identity of one of the possible accused has been identified.
He is identified to be one Thangkhinsong Tonsing (riflemen no.6070517) Vengnuam Veng Churachandpur, originally recruited as a personnel of the 6th IRB however officially transferred to 1st IRB in 2011 to. He is amongst the three who have been placed under suspension.
He is presently stationed at the residence of Hill Areas Committee chairman, Dr Chaltolien Amo, as escort cum house guard.
Speaking to IFP, N Manimohan, commandant of 1st IRB, revealed that the accused Tonsing along with two commanders (havildars) were suspended today adding that a departmental enquiry has also been instituted against the Jamandar Raju of the 1st IRB for negligence in handling his service weapons.
It may be mentioned that an MP5 sub-machine gun was recovered inside the hijacked rakshak vehicles abandoned at Sabal Leikai Thambalkhong. It was learnt that the MP5 belonged was service weapon issued to Jamandar Raju.
Moreover, a jacket, with a syringe inside its pocket, belonging to the prime accused Thangkhinsong Tonsing was also reportedly recovered from the hijacked vehicle.
Meanwhile, another section of 1st IRB has replaced the present section allocated for security escort of Dr Chaltonlien.