Police arrest five cadres of KCP (KK Nganba) including Nganba
IMPHAL, June 29: In a significant breakthrough in the murder case of surrendered PREPAK chairman Nabachandra and his driver inside 7th MR Battalion Khabeisoi, police have arrested five members of KCP KK Nganba group including two cadres directly involved in the killing along with weapons used in the crime.
The self styled chairman of the group KK Nganba whose real name is Chongtham Manglemjao, 63, son of (L) Mani of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, was among the five arrested by the police.
A press conference was convened today with regard to the breakthrough at the office chamber of the DGP Manipur, LM Khaute.
IG Range-I, Clay Khongsai, Superintendent of Police Imphal East Kamei Angam Romanus and Superintendent of Police Imphal West, Dr AK Jhalajit Singh, were also present during the conference.
Announcing of the ‘breakthrough’ during the conference, LM Khaute divulged that five members of the KCP (KK Nganba) group who are currently under the Suspension of Operation agreement with the government have been arrested by the police.
Following the killing of PREPAK chairman Nabachandra and his driver on June 21, a case was lodged at Heingang police station under various section of IPC including 302, 448, Arms Act etc, said Khaute.
With the case becoming a priority of the police department, a serious effort was put into it to crack the case deputing dedicated police officers of the Imphal East police led by SP under the supervision of IG Range-I, he said at the same time SP of Imphal West also extended his co-operation.
Giving detail information of the investigation the Imphal East SP, Kamei Angam Romanus, said that of the five arrested two were directly involved in the killing of the late PREPAK chairman, Ningombam Nabachandra alias Nongdrenkhomba and his driver on the night of June 21.
The perpetrators of the crime have been identified as Ahongsangbam Kingson alias Yaiphaba, 23, son of (L) Chaoba of Thangmeiband Kongkham Salungbam Leikai, a private and Leichongbam Naocha alias Malangba, 24, son of Basanta Singh of Sugnu Wapokpi Mamang Leikai, a corporal of the outfit.
The fifth cadre arrested by the police has been identified as Tongbram Sanjit alias Pari alias Boi, 42, of Keirenphabi Mamang Leikai.
The SP Imphal East further revealed during the course of investigation the district police got hold of specific input with regard to the murder following the arrest of one self-styled sergeant major of the KK Nganba group identified as Thokchom Gouri alias Ibungo alias Kosam, 23, son of Th Ibomcha of Wangoo Sandangkhong.
Gouri was taken into custody on June 25 while the remaining four cadres were arrested yesterday, he said.
Following the revelation of the Kingson and Naocha, the police team also recovered two 9mm pistol one marked as Burma Army loaded with 3 live rounds and a Berretta marked as made in USA loaded with two live rounds, continued the SP.
The five arrested members of the group have been further remanded to police custody, he informed.
Meanwhile responding to query whether KK Nganba ordered the killing, the DGP clarified that with the investigation in its initial stage the police department was not in the position to give the details yet although it was confirmed that the crime was perpetrator by the group.
He reassured that investigation is going on in full swing to further unfold the mystery behind the case.
When inquired on any plans to review the decision of harbouring of the surrendered militants in garrison particularly the KK Nganba group in the wake of the incident, the DGP replied that the issue is under active consideration with the higher authority. The DGP further informed that there are about five groups who were under the Suspension of Operation are being kept in the 7th MR battalion including 34 cadres KK Nganba group.
It may be recalled here that, a spokesperson of the proscribed outfit PREPAK had claimed the killing of Nongdrenkhomba and his driver.
