IMPHAL, May 7: In a significant development, the Imphal West district police commandos have reportedly rescued the abducted Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Singhat MLA, from the clutches of the abductors during a counter insurgency operation conducted last night in Khengjang Hill of Sadar Hills under Senapati district.
A statement issued by the PRO Manipur Police, the counter insurgency operation was led Th Vikramjit Singh, additional SP (Ops), Imphal West assisted by Sachidananda Soibam Dy. SP (CDO), Imphal West and Inspector P Sanjoy Singh, officer incharge of Commando Imphal West.
Series of operationx was carried out beginning from May 5 at Langol area in an attempt to rescue the MLA’s PRO.
Following the lead of it operations, the team finally rescued the PRO safely from Khengjang Hill of Leikot and Gamphaibung range after having conducted a lengthy search operation on the intervening night of May 6 and 7, it said adding that the operation lasted for four hours.
During the course of its rescue operations, the team also reportedly arrested an active cadre of the Tribal Revolutionary Army (TRA) identified as one Letkhomang Kipgen alias Mangcha Kipgen, 20, son (L) Thangsei Kipgen of Bongbal village of Churachandpur district.
The arrested individual reportedly confessed that he is working under Douthanglen Kipgen alias Lelen Kipgen alias John Hangshing, 30, the self styled president of TRA and KNF(N) Douthanglen faction.
The statement further revealed that on April 26 under the direction of the president of the outfit, Letkhomang along with four other cadres kidnapped PRO from Langol area and kept as hostage in a jungle adjoining Leikot and Gamphaibung range.
The police team recovered one pistol with three live ammunitions from the scene, and also one EECO van grey in colour bearing No. ML05J-1077, used in the crime today around 2 am from the residence of Letkhohao Kipgen of Leimakhong, Happy Valley (elder brother of Douthanglen.
Although initial reports suggested that the PRO was abducted for a ransom of Rs 70 Lakh, the PRO statement did make a mention of the report.
In the meantime, office of the New-Selsi (Kontam) village authority, has clarified that the recent abduction and rescuing of Thangsiangbiak, PRO of Singhat MLA, has nothing to do with the village.
The village authority and the villagers did not know anything about the particular incident as reported in the local media, said a statement issued by the authority.
Lauding the efforts of the police commandos, it expressed its desire to leave the innocent villager peacefully without unnecessary intimidations.
The village authority also appealed the perpetrators not to carry out such anti social activities which