Imphal, January 11: The main culprit in the Lungnila Elizabeth case James has been reportedly held by NSCN(IM) members at Dimapur today morning and handed over to police.

Meanwhile the state police has expressed its positive hope that the concerted efforts being made by the State Police and valuable co-operation of the public in this behalf will bring about an early positive outcome in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the Lungnila Elizabeth.

According to a press release issued by Vandana Karki, Public Relations Officer, Police Department, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the State Police is painstakingly and diligently conducting the investigation of identify the culprits and apprehend them.

The investigation is at an advanced stage and it is only a matter of time before the case is properly worked out.

It further stated that the unfortunate incident of kidnapping and subsequent murder of Miss Lungnila Elizabeth has shocked the government and the people of Manipur.

The State Police is committed to apprehend the culprits responsible for the dastardly crime and bring them to book at the earliest.

The delay in apprehension of culprits by the police has caused concern in certain quarters about the progress of investigation of the case, which is understandable.

It is to assure the public at large that the State Police is doing everything possible to conclude the investigation at the earliest and bring the culprits to book.

The State Police would like to appeal to the public to share any relevant information with the SIT to help it in investigation of the case.

In this behalf, the concerned Police Officers can be contacted on the following telephone Nos SP Imphal West -2220159, Addl SP(P), Manipur - 2229558 (I/C SIT).

During investigation of the case, the State Police has been receiving full co-operation from Francis Ngajokpa and all the members of his family.

There is no indication of concealing any facts from the family in this case.