“Arrested UG cadres admit burning down Winger with the intent to frighten locals”

IMPHAL, June 19: The Imphal East Police has today claimed to have arrested two RPF cadre who were involved in the burning down of a Tata Winger bearing registration No. MN-06L/4551  at Tabungkhok village under Patsoi PS on June 12.

In a press conference held at the Imphal East SP office complex, Addl SP Imphal East (Ops) Kamei Angam Romanus stated that on receiving credible information of presence of some armed UG cadres around the Babu hotel area, Khurai yesterday evening at around 5:15 pm, a team of the Imphal East police commandos led by the OC Cdo, Imphal East conducted a surprise cordoning of the area and arrested one hardcore member of the proscribed RPF.

The arrested has been identified as Chingkham Ibohanbi Meitei alias Jiban, 35 s/o Ch Ibo Singh of Khurai Kongpal Khaiden Leikai.

He further informed the present media team that on the disclosure of the arrested cadre, another RPF cadre identified as Huidrom Basanta Singh alias Amu, 34, s/o H Tomei Singh of Nambol Ishok Maning Leikai and presently residing at Awang Potsangbam Khullen was also arrested from Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak yesterday evening itself.

On preliminary questioning, the two admitted to being active members of the RPF and to be presently working under the command of one s/s captain Rishikanta of the outfit, stated the police officer.

According to the Addl SP, the two arrested RPF members have already admitted their involvement in the burning down of the Tata Winger recently after hijacking the said vehicle as per the instruction of their captain Rishikanta.

They further stated that the act of burning down the vehicle was performed with the sole purpose of frightening the public of the area and is not related with any monetary demands, added the police officer.

The officer further informed the media team that the two arrested has informed the police about their involvement in extortion from various bus counters located in the Imphal area.

Further disclosure of the two arrested RPF members led to the arrest of another cadre of the party identified as Thokchom Sarajkumar alias Ingoba alias Pukchao, 37, son of Th. Sanatomba Singh of Bashikhong Torban from Moirangkhom area this early morning.

The police officer also mentioned that the CDO Imphal East has recovered 12 Nos. of Chinese made hand grenades, 10 Nos. of TNT explosives weighing 200gms each, four numbers of mobile phones one Maruti 800 car bearing registration No MN06/1598 pink in colour, Suzuki Access 125 bearing registration No. MN-01D/0765 red in colour and one Bajaj scooter grey in colour from their possession.

Meanwhile, another team of the Imphal East district police commandos has apprehended another PLA cadre identified as Longjam Sanahal alias Kuber Singh of, 29, s/o L Biren Singh of Loitang Makha Leikai from the Checkon crossing this morning around 6.30 am who was reportedly involved in extortions and transportation of party arms and ammunitions from one place to another an official source said.

The source further mentioned that, on June 17 morning around 7.30am a team of the Imphal East district police commandos arrested one cadre of the proscribed PREPAk identified as Takhellambam Anjoy Singh alias Aden, 30 s/o T Yumjao Singh of Itam Nungoi Khunou.

Yet in another incident four members of the proscribed PREPAK were reportedly arrested by a combined team of the Imphal West district police commandos and personnel of 28 AR during separate operations on June 17 afternoon.

According to a release of Sr. SP Imphal West, the combined team of Imphal West CDO and personnel of 28 AR initially arrested a hardcore cadre of PREPAK organization identified as Yumkhaibam Mohen alias Ibai, 42, s/o Y Chandramani Singh of Andro Machengpat from MU Campus on the afternoon of June 17 and from his disclosure three more PREPAK members identified as Puyam Keke alias Khamba alias Bishrup, 37 s/o P Angou Singh of Kongba Makha Chnabi, Ashem Sanajaoba Singh alias Goroba, 34, s/o late A Birachandra Singh of Kakwa Manierakpam Leikai and Konsham Ibohal Singh, 52 s/o late K Nitai Singh of Kongba Ucheckon Lambamayum Lampak were also arrested on the same day.

The security force also recovered one 9mm pistol with one magazine and two live rounds from the possession of Konsam Ibohal the release added.

Further in a separate release issued by the Sr. SP Imphal West a team of Imphal West disdtrict police commandos apprehended two cadres of under ground NSCN from different places yesterday morning.

The release further mentioned that the district CDO team also arrested one NSCN cadre identified as Kairithonang Thuimei, 29, s/o Taliangthui Thuimei of Thingra village, Tamenglong district from a rented house near Pologround Maning of Paona Bazar belonging to one Tiken of Lanthabal.

The release also mentioned that on spot verification the arrested cadre disclosed to the police that he is working in the finance section of the NSCN under the command of one SK Rangmei, s/s finance in charge Zeliangrong region.

Six letter heads of GPRN/NSCN two line seals were recovered from his possession added the release.

Further in follow up action another cadre of the NSCN identified as Telem Premchand Singh alias Telem, 34 s/o T Tombi Singh of Nongpok Sanjenbam was arrested from Pologround Maning on the same day and on spot verification the arrested person told the police that he used to contact concerned officers/Engineers of the PWD and education department as directed by Kairithonang nominee of NSCN for obtaining work order, the official release of Sr. SP Imphal West added.