Imphal, January 09 2010: In connection with the January 6 evening hand grenade attack at the Thangmeiband residence of former Chief Minister and present Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam, a combined team of Imphal West District Police Commandos and personnel of 26 Assam Rifles have arrested two activists of the proscribed PREPAK.

The two arrested activists have been identified as Moirangthem Monao alias Parimacha alias Mohen alias Sana (26) s/o M Nimai Singh of Tera Sayang Lambi and Laikhuram Munal Singh alias Sanathoi (24) s/o L Amusana of Langjing Achouba Maning Leikai Bamon Leirak Auto Parking.

One 9 mm pistol, one magazine with three live rounds of AK-47 ammunition and one mobile phone set have also been reportedly recovered from the possession of the arrested duo.

Monao is said to be a self-styled sergeant of the armed outfit who joined PREPAK in 1997 under army no.970611 and he was arrested by the police earlier on two ocassion while Munal is said to be an untrained activist of the outfit.

Parading them before media persons at the complex of Imphal West Police Commandos here today, Additional SP (Imphal West) AK Jhaljit informed that Monao was arrested by the combined team from Sagolband Tongbram Leikai this morning.

At the time of his arrest, he had already booked a ticket for going outside Manipur.

In the follow up action, the combined team apprehended Munal from his residence, Jhaljit said, adding that from the interrogation it has been established that both Menao and Munal are working under the command of one self-styled lieutenant of PREPAK identified as Jameson (32) alias Rozer alias Ramananda alias Nongpoknganba s/o RK Sanatomba of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda.

The Additional SP further informed that Menao was involved not only in the recent grenade attack at the residence of MLA Radhabinod but also in killing a non-Manipuri migrant worker selling sugar cane juice at Kwakeithel Bazar on March 1 last year.

Apart from this, he was also involved in various other criminal activities like killing of another non-Manipuri barber at Sagolband Khumbongmayum, the grenade attack at a computer centre in Sanakeithel, setting fire at Ujjala Restaurant in Kwakeithel and Joychandra Garden in Langol as well as in extorting money from various shops, restaurants, saw mills and private individuals, the police officer said.

From further interrogation of Menao, it has also been confirmed that the killing of non-local migrant workers in the State is being carried out by PREPAK, PLA, UNLF and KYKL, Jhaljit added.