IMPHAL, April 28: An alleged hardcore member of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) who was reportedly tortured inhumanely in half-naked in full public view before arresting him by a team of 8 Assam Rifles led by its Commanding Officer from Noney, Tamenglong district on April 6 was rearrested by police from Sajiwa Central Jail today.
The rearrested member of the outfit has been identified as Joseph Rongmei, 35 son of Gaikhaning Rongmei of Noney Part IV Peaceland under Noney Police Station.
It may be recalled, he had earlier been handed over to Patsoi Police Station, Imphal West after an AR team allegedly tortured him inhumanely.
Nungba Police Station had registered a case against him under FIR no 28 (4) 2015 NBA PS. Accordingly, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tamenglong remanded him to police custody up to April 21 last. He was again remanded to judicial custody thereafter.
It is said that Joseph Rongmei was rearrested from the Sajiwa Central Jail by police in connection with a case registered at Khoupum Police Station, Tamenglong district after taking permission from the concerned court.
He is now under the custody of Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West as part of requisition process of the case.
The Assam Rifles had claimed that a 9 mm pistol, 19 live rounds and cash amount of Rs 10,000 were found from the possession of Joseph Rongmei at the time of his arrest.
According to the AR, Joseph Rongmei is a self-styled captain and Noney Area Town commander of ZUF.
He is also said to have been involved in the ZUF ambush laid on a team of 8 AR at Noney as well as on a team of 2/5 GR at L Khunou village in March.