IMPHAL, Jun 29: Five cadres of KCP (KK Nganba) including their chairman and general secretary have been apprehended by police along with weapons.
It is said that two of the five arrested men were involved in the killing of former PREPAK Chairman Ningombam Nabachandra alias Nongdrenkhomba and his driver Leishangthem Sanjit.
Briefing media persons at his office this evening, DGP LM Khaute said that the five militants were apprehended along with weapons in the course of a series of investigation launched by Imphal East district police following the killing of Nongdrenkhomba and his driver Sanjit inside 7th MR complex on June 21.
On being enquired about PREPAK’s claim that Nongdrenkhomba and Sanjit were shot dead by the outfit, the DGP maintained that no definite comment can be made on the matter as the case is being investigated.
Nonetheless, it has been confirmed that all the five arrested militants are cadres of KCP (KK Nganba), Khaute said.
He said that the Government has been considering to provide safer sanctuary to surrendered militants.
Giving a detail account of the arrest of the five militants, Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus said Imphal East district police could successfully investigate the matter in coordination with the Imphal West SP under the supervision of the DGP and the IG Zone I.
At first, S/S Major Thok-chom Gouri alias Ibungo alias Kosam (25) s/o Ibomcha of Wangoo Sandangkhong was pulled up from inside 7th MR complex on June 25.
Acting on the disclosure of Gouri, KCP (KK Ngan-ba)’s S/S Chairman Chong- tham Manglemjao alias KK Nganba (63) s/o late Mani of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak. S/S General Secretary Tongbram Sanjit alias Pari alias Boy (42) s/o Nityai of Keirenphabi Mamang Leikai, S/S Cpl Leichombam Naocha alias Malangba (24) s/o Basanta of Wapokpi Mamang Leikai and S/S Pvt Ahongshangbam Kingson alias Yaiphaba (23) s/o late Chaoba of Thangmeiband Khomdram Selungba Leikai were pulled up from Khabeisoi last afternoon.
It was learnt that Naocha alias Malangba and Kingson alias Yaiphaba shot dead Nongdrenkhomba and Sanjit, and two 9 mm pistols used by them have also been recovered.
One pistol was embossed with the words ‘Burma Army’ and it had three bullets while the other pistol were embossed with the words ‘Beretta USA Corp’ and it had two bullets, Kamei Angam Romanus said.
While Gouri has been remanded to police custody till July 1, the four others have been remanded to police custody till July 8.
A case has been registered against them at Heingang police station under IPC 302/448/34 and Arms Act 25(1-C), continued the SP.
