IMPHAL, Dec 29: A combined team of the Imphal west and Imphal east district police commandos arrested two members of the underground RPF/PLA and recovered nine extortion notes addressed to at least two sitting MLAs and candidates of the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
The combined CDO team had also seized two mobile phones from the militant cadres.
The arrested RPF/PLA cadres have been identified as Okram Saratchandra Meetei, 45 s/o (late) Ibohal of Pukhao Laipham and Wahengbam Sunil Singh alias Devan, 42 s/o Mangi of Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai. While Saratchandra was arrested from Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal this morning around 7.30am, Sunil was arrested from New Checkon crossing at around 10.40am.
Speaking to media person during a press conference held this afternoon after the arrest of the two RPF/PLA cadres, Chandrakumar, OC of Imphal west CDO said Okram Saratchandra joined the outfit in the year 2006 through one s/s revenue officer -1 Finance department Salam Ajit Luwang alias Rombus and is presently working under his command.
The commando officer further said that at the advice of Ajit Luwang, Saratchandra downloaded 25 extortion notes of Rs 10 lakhs each. The extortion notes were addressed to MLAs and candidates of the upcoming state assembly election in different constituencies.
On the advice of Ajit Luwang, Saratchandra handed over the same extortion notes to two unknown persons sent by the former, the Commando OC said.
He further added that the police commando team could arrest Wahengbam Sunil through the mobile phones seized from Saratchandra.
Altogether nine extortion notes addressed to the sitting MLAs and candidates of Keirao and Andro assembly constituencies were recovered from the possession of Sunil.
The remaining extortion notes which Saratchandra handed over to another unknown person were addressed to candidates of the upcoming assembly election of Wangkhei, Kshetrigao, Heingang, Khurai, Keirao, Lamlai, Thongju and Khundrakpam constituencies, the commando officer said and added that the police could not still traced out the other person.
In the meantime, a team of Imphal West CDO arrested one active member of PREPAK from Chandani Pharmacy of Uripok Bachaspati Leikai. The arrested militant has been identified as Thambaljam Malangba alias Hens, 29 s/o Khunjamani of Mayang Langjing Tanning presently residing at Uripok.
Three live rounds of point 45 ammunition and two mobile handsets were recovered from the possession of the arrested PREPAK activist, said a release of the SP Imphal west.