KANGPOKPI, May 29: Three suspected cadres of Kuki National Front (Nehlun) have been reportedly apprehended by a combined team of 25 AR Kangpokpi post and Kangpokpi Police personnel this evening at around 6:30.
The suspected militants were identified as Lulun Kuki, son of Ngamjang of Maojang, Saikul; Haothang Kipgen, son of Paokhoseh Kipgen of Hengbung, Kangpokpi and Lhunkhomang Kipgen son of Jamlet Kipgen of Phoibung, Kalapahar.
Source informed that personnel of 25 AR Kangpokpi Post and Police personnel of Kangpokpi PS led by Inspector SM. Hussain, Officer in-Charge of Kpi PS conducted a search operation at Chawangkining around 15 km West from Kangpokpi PS along IT. Road this evening.
It was at that moment the three suspected militants were travelling in a white Maruti Van bearing registration no MN01X-7915 along the road.
The combined security force stopped the vehicle and on checking and frisking they found two 9 mm pistols along with 12 live rounds from their possession.
On further interrogation, it has been established that Lulun Kipgen is the Public Relation Officer of the outfit while the other two were lance corporal, added the source.
It further added that they were involved in all the recent kidnapping of the laborers along the Imphal – Tamenglong road.
However, family members of Haothang claimed that he went out of the house for distributing wedding cards and flatly denied his involvement with the militant outfit.